Remembrance Day in Clarington – a more intimate commemoration

Clarington October 29, 2020/-  The Municipality of Clarington is partnering with our local Royal Canadian Legion Branch 178 to mark this year’s Remembrance Day in a different more intimate way. Due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, and the rising infection numbers, we cannot have mass gatherings at cenotaphs and monuments to pay tribute to our fallen Canadian soldiers. This year, the Municipality will be live streaming the main Bowmanville Remembrance Day Ceremony on November 11 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. The live stream will be available through Clarington’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/MunofClarington. We encourage residents to stay home and pay tribute to our fallen heroes virtually, adhering to all Public Health guidelines. 

“Every year on November 11, we pause to commemorate our Canadian soldiers who have served or continue to serve our nation to protect our lives and our liberty. This year, to support their efforts and to protect each other, I ask you to please stay home, and commemorate this important occasion virtually,” said Clarington Mayor Foster. “By doing this, you will limit your chance of exposure to COVID-19. We need to remember that our older veterans may be more susceptible to contracting the virus. Let’s do our part and mark the occasion in a safe way,” added Mayor Foster.

“This year, Remembrance Day is a more intimate commemoration. We want to encourage all our residents to pause and mark the day but do it safely. Stay home and watch the ceremony online. You can also show your support for our veterans and their families by donating to branch178poppyfund@gmail.com. We can unite in spirit and pause to remember those who gave up their lives so that we can live today,” said Alan Haward, President, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 178.

If you attend one of Clarington’s four main ceremonies, please follow all Durham Region Health Department guidelines. That means staying home if you’re sick or showing symptoms of COVID-19, including mild symptoms. It’s safer to attend an outdoor ceremony if you maintain a two-metre distance between anyone who doesn’t live with you. Wear a non-medical mask, especially if physical distancing is not possible. Avoid crowds, find a remote vantage point where you can watch the proceedings. Wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer. The Province has also amended its direction on mass gatherings. Currently, outdoor events are limited to a maximum of 25 people, and indoor events are limited to a maximum of 10 people. Indoor and outdoor gatherings cannot be merged. Please consider commemorating the event virtually, especially if you are 70 years or older and have pre-existing medical conditions.

Clarington’s four main ceremonies are:

• Newtonville -  November 7, at 10:30 a.m.
• Orono -  November 8, at 1:30 p.m.
• Newcastle – November 11, at 10:30 a.m.
• Bowmanville – November 11, at 10:30 a.m. *This ceremony will be available through a live stream online through Clarington’s Facebook page.*

Contrary to previous celebrations, this year, the Municipality will not be approving road closures to prevent large crowds from gathering and the potential of COVID-19 transmission. There will be limited space for residents to gather at the ceremonies, following all public health guidelines. Municipal Law Enforcement Officers and Durham Regional Police Services will be on hand to enforce public health direction.

For all the details on how to access the live stream of Bowmanville’s Remembrance Day ceremony, visit Clarington’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/MunofClarington.

There are many ways residents can show support for the Royal Canadian Legion, our veterans, and their families this Remembrance Day; visit their website to see how you can contribute, www.poppystore.ca.

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Media Contact:
Basia Radomski
Communications Manager
905-623-3379 ext. 2214