Wednesday November 4, 2020 | LANGFORD, BC
by Mary P Brooke, editor | Island Social Trends
The remembrance of those who have served — and made the ultimate sacrifice — carries on each year, even in a pandemic.
At 11 am on Wednesday November 11 people will take two minutes to be silent and remember those who fought and died for democracy and freedom as well as though who carry on with injuries (seen and unseen) for having put themselves in harm’s way for the good of their society.
Small and private this year:
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the public side of that remembrance will be kept small in the west shore this year. The usual event held at the Cenotaph in Veterans Memorial Park in Langford will be limited to attendance by Legion executive and a few dignitaries. It will not be open to the public, says Langford Legion President Norm Scott.
In holding the small enclosed event, the Legion is following protocol in the name of fallen soldiers, past and present. Apparently Member of Parliament Alistair MacGregor will attend, and possibly also Premier-elect John Horgan. (MLA-elect Mitzi Dean will be attending the Esquimalt ceremony.)
Mayors and councillors from Langford and Colwood will not be attending this year’s small formal gathering, due to the COVID pandemic. Last year there were also municipal representatives from Highlands, Metchosin and View Royal.
“In consultation with the City of Langford, fencing will be in place for the small service. Following that, it will be removed to allow members of the community to pay their respect,” it is stated on the Legion website.
Otherwise, the Legion asks that all members and veterans “remain safe at home on this very special day”. A livestream of the small closed service will be presented on the Legion’s Facebook page.
No Legion reception November 11:
In that context, the Langford Legion Branch 91 on Station Avenue in Langford will be closed on November 11 and there will be no reception this year. That event is usually jam-packed with veterans, dignitaries and the public.
“This has been an extremely difficult decision for your executive but as you know, we must adhere to the guidelines set out by the provincial health authority,” says Scott.
The Langford Legion reopened in June, after being closed for a few months at the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic this year. Since the summer they have been carrying on many of their regular services for their members and guests. But many of the larger community events have had to be cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic which requires physical distancing and gatherings of (now) no more than six people.
Wreaths, poppies, fundraising:
Organizations wishing to place or buy a wreath should bring them to the legion for placement at the cenotaph on November 11. To purchase a wreath call 250-478-1828 or email to secretary@rcl91.ca .
This year’s Poppy Campaign got rolling in the west shore on October 30, but is not generating the same financial results as in previous years, due to the pandemic, says their president.
“We’re missing volunteers for canvassing this year,” says Norm Scott. He explains that there are no youth cadets helping out this year due to the pandemic, and most of the usual volunteers who sell poppy pins outside stores and around the community are older (age 50+) and generally not available during the pandemic.
“Donations for poppy collection trays are not what they were last year,” he says. They are falling short of their usual $100,000 Remembrance season campaign goal.
As one effort to boost funds, there is a local drive-through fundraising dinner at the Langford Legion on November 23. Orders can be made online up to November 20.
Donations to the overall Remembrance Day cause can be made online at www.poppy.ca .
