Wasaga Beach residents are being invited to gather at the Cenotaph at Town Hall next week for the community's annual Remembrance Day Service, where the town will also unveil five new banners honouring local veterans.
The ceremony takes place Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 10:30 a.m. at the Cenotaph at Town Hall, 30 Lewis Street, the Town of Wasaga Beach said in a news release.
The service is expected to bring together veterans, families, community organizations and residents to honour those who served, remember those who gave their lives and recognize those who continue to serve today.
As part of this year's commemoration, the town will unveil five new veteran banners. The banners are displayed along River Road West each November, where they honour local veterans and help share their stories of service with the community.
"Remembrance Day is a time for our community to stand together and honour the courage, service and sacrifice of those who served our country," said Mayor Brian Smith. "When we gather at the Cenotaph and share the stories of our local veterans, we are doing more than remembering the past — we are making sure their legacy lives on and that future generations understand the freedoms their service helped protect."
The banner program has become a visible part of the town's November commemorations, lining one of Wasaga Beach's main streets throughout the month and putting the faces and stories of local veterans in front of residents and visitors.
"Remembrance Day gives us the opportunity to stand together as a community and reflect on the service and sacrifice of generations of Canadians," said Jack Ryan, Second Vice President of Royal Canadian Legion Branch #645. "These banners also help keep the stories of local veterans visible in our community and ensure their contributions are remembered by future generations."
The Legion branch has been involved in the town's Remembrance Day commemorations, and Ryan's remarks point to the banner program as a way of keeping that recognition present beyond the ceremony itself.
Wednesday's gathering is open to all residents. The town is encouraging the community — including families with children — to attend, meet local veterans and take part in the ceremony at the Town Hall Cenotaph.
Remembrance Day services are held annually on Nov. 11, marking the date in 1918 when the armistice ended the First World War.
