NEW GLASGOW, N.S. — Remembrance Day, like many other holidays this year, will not be celebrated in the usual way.
“It's so much different than other years,” says Donald Calder, president of the Westville Royal Canadian Legion. “We used to have 2,000 people here in Westville for the Remembrance Day service, and this year we will have six.”
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Royal Canadian Legion Remembrance Day services throughout Nova Scotia will not be open to the general public. Instead, they are hoping people celebrate from home.
“They just can do a listen online and take the time to do a moment of silence for our veterans,” says president of the Pictou Legion, Mike Murdock.
People can participate in the two minutes of silence in their home along with the live-stream, at the end of their driveways, or anywhere they happen to be at 11 o’clock. Many of the legions in Pictou County will be live-streaming their services on their Facebook pages.
Outside of the ceremony, people are encouraged to buy wreaths, crosses, and poppies from their local legion leading up to Remembrance Day.
The day before, Nov. 10, it is recommended that people lay down their purchased wreaths and/or crosses at their local cenotaph. The next day, the legions will ensure they are arranged into a nice display.
For those who just want to pick up a poppy, they can be found at the legion, grocery stores, and other businesses.
For Kathy Kennedy, every time she sees a poppy she is reminded of her dad.
“The legion meant so much to my dad,” says the secretary-treasurer for the New Glasgow Legion. “Poppies were a big thing to him.”
While donations are not required to take a poppy, every little bit helps.
“It’s our way of helping our veterans because any money that we raise helps veterans.”
