Remembrance Day - 1918 - 2018 - 100 Years

The armistice of November 11, 1918, brought relief to the whole world. Never before had there been such a conflict. For a nation of eight million people Canada’s war effort was remarkable. More than 650,000 men and women from Canada and Newfoundland served — over 56,000 gave their lives and more than 172,000 were wounded. It was this immense sacrifice that lead to Canada’s separate signature on the Peace Treaty. No longer viewed as just a colony of England, Canada had truly achieved nation status. This nationhood was purchased by the gallant men who stood fast at Ypres, stormed Regina Trench, climbed the heights of Vimy Ridge, captured Passchendaele, and entered Mons on November 11, 1918.

All over the country there will be ceremonies at 11 AM local time.  We have local ceremonies in Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley.  This year there will be a special event at the US/Canada border.

From the Peace Arch News:
A generation and border-spanning ceremony at Peace Arch Park this Sunday will bring together both Canadian and U.S. residents to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War.

The International Peace Arch Association (IPAA) has organized the event, which will include participation in Bells of Peace, a cross-US bell-tolling at 11 a.m., honouring those who died in that war.

Also part of the program will be Poppies For Peace, an interactive art activity in which participants create poppies in honour of the 116,516 Americans and 56,638 Canadians who lost their lives in the conflict.

The event, which will begin at 10:45 a.m., followed by the bell-ringing at 11 a.m., is open to all members of the public.

The first 250 veterans who arrive to attend the event will receive a special commemorative gift from the IPAA honouring them for their service, while the first 250 children will receive a gift of a First World War remembrance ‘Lest We Forget’ wristband.

Veterans are also invited to bring a photograph of themselves taken when they were serving in the military.

Also featured at the event will be a history display covering Washington State’s involvement in the war, as well as a display of First World War posters.