For 20 years now, private citizens have come together to organize Remembrance Day ceremonies in the Town of Niverville. Remembrance initiatives remind us to take time to honour those, past and present, who have dedicated their lives to serve our nation.
The service will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 11 at the Niverville Heritage Centre. Guests will be welcomed by members of the Sparks, Brownies, and Guides, and it is suggested that people arrive early as attendance has hovered between 700 to 800 people over the last few years. The ceremony will be followed by a light lunch open to all those in attendance.
Lorraine Kehler will be the Master of Ceremonies. Kehler’s son, Samuel Kehler, is currently serving as an officer in the navy. This year’s ceremony will have a particular emphasis on youth as the committee aims to involve the next generation so these important stories and traditions can continue to be shared for years to come.
It’s been 100 years since one of the most iconic battles of World War I: the Battle of Vimy Ridge. One hundred thousand Canadians fought in this battle, and tragically over 3,000 lost their lives.
This year, in a special video presentation, youth from Niverville will discuss what it was like to visit the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. These young people were around the same age that many of the brave soldiers would have been when they served during the war. They will explain what they saw, what it meant to them, and what they took away from the experience.
As in past years, the event will include the commemorative laying of wreaths by community members and various service personnel. A full two minutes of silence will be observed at 11:00 a.m. This tradition was started in 1919 by King George V, one year after the Great War, as a way to honour those who served and those who lost their lives.
As a sign of solemn observance, five cadets from the 170th St. James Squadron, including Vigil Commander Aiden Bruce, will hold vigil on stage. This act of respect is usually performed at a cenotaph or memorial site when ceremonies are held outdoors.
There will be musical performances by children from Niverville Elementary School, bugler Abigail Olfert, and bagpiper Rod Christie.
Poppies will be available at the venue, with all donations being collected to support veterans and their families.
Out of respect, poppies should be removed after the ceremony. There will be a designated area where people are encouraged to lay their poppies once the ceremony has ended.
The Niverville Remembrance Day ceremonies are made possible by the generous donations of community members. Donations will also be accepted at the venue to help cover the cost of the event and future ceremonies.
