Note: This is a list of events from 2013. See this year's events here (link)
Remembrance Day is a time to honour those who have served, and those who continue to serve. And to reflect on the horrors of war and the hope of lasting peace.
While the focus in the past has been on members who served in the First and Second World Wars, Canadians have served and died in other conflicts since then, most recently in Afghanistan.
Monday services in Greater Victoria:
• Victoria — Program starts at 10 a.m. at the cenotaph on the legislature grounds. Parking on the street and in City of Victoria parkades is free on Remembrance Day.
• Saanich — Program starts at 10:45 a.m. at the cenotaph in front of Saanich Municipal Hall, 770 Vernon Ave.
• Central Saanich — 10:45 a.m., wreath-laying ceremony at Peacekeeping Memorial Cenotaph at the municipal hall, 1903 Mount Newton Cross Rd.
• Esquimalt — Parade 10:40 a.m. from Esquimalt Legion, 622 Admirals Rd., to the cenotaph at Memorial Park on Esquimalt Road. Ceremony at 11 a.m.
• Langford — 10:45 a.m. march from the Prince Edward Branch of the Legion, 761 Station Rd., to Veterans Memorial Park on Goldstream Avenue. Ceremony at 11 a.m.
• Oak Bay — 10:45 a.m. at Oak Bay Cenotaph, 2900 block of Beach Drive, in Uplands Park.
• Sidney — Participants gather at 10:15 a.m. for a parade from Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave., to the war memorial at town hall, 2240 Sidney Ave. There will be a flypast during the two minutes’ silence.
• Sooke — 11 a.m. at Sooke Legion, 6726 Eustace Rd.
Other events include:
• Sunday: Veterans’ Cemetery Remembrance Tour. An annual tour of veterans’ graves, with stories of the soldiers and their times, from the Crimean War to the present day. Tour admission $5. Meet at 2 p.m. at the gate to God’s Acre Veterans’ Cemetery. Access off Colville Road near the base hospital. Limited parking at cemetery.
For more information, go to oldcem.bc.ca or call 250-598-8870.
• Sunday: Service at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary the Virgin Heritage Church, 4475 Happy Valley Rd., Metchosin.
• Sunday: Wartime Stories is a tour that focuses on personal stories of local men and women during the First and Second World Wars. Learn about the evolving role of the Royal Canadian Navy and hear stories of patriotism, joy and grief of the people who gave Victoria its identity.
The 90-minute walking tour uses the backdrop of the Inner Harbour to bring wartime Victoria to life. The event is hosted by Discover the Past Tours. Adults $15, students and seniors $13. The tour starts at 10:30 a.m. Meet in front of the Visitor Information Centre, 812 Wharf St. No reservations needed. Call 250-384-6698.
• Sunday and Monday: The Royal B.C. Museum, in partnership with Veterans’ Affairs Canada, is hosting two days of free talks, activities and displays to honour servicemen and women.
Groups represented include the B.C. Aboriginal Veterans and Serving Members Association. This group’s display chronicles the major roles of people of aboriginal and Metis ancestry in conflict. The Korean Veterans’ Association, Unit 27, will also be on hand.
In Forgotten Canadians, light will be shed on more than 100 Canadians, or those with connections to Canada, who were bestowed with the U.S. Medal of Honour.
Displays include items from military historians, veterans’ associations and community groups. Highlights include trench art, military history speakers and music by the Victoria Children’s Choir.
New displays include items from the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum, Chinese Canadian Military Museum, Old Cemetery Society and the B.C. Archives.
This is the 12th year the museum has put a Remembrance Day program on the main floor.
Viewing is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and Monday. Regular admission applies to the rest of the museum.
On Monday, general admission to the museum is free for military personnel and their families, serving or retired.
For more details, go to royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.
