Dallas Square Cenotaph in Nanaimo will be the site of a vastly scaled down 2021 Remembrance Day ceremony. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Remembrance Day

How to pay tribute across the mid-Island this Remembrance Day

Nov 10, 2021 | 5:32 AM

NANAIMO — Typically thousands of people surround local cenotaphs and enter legions to pay their respects to those who served and continue protecting our country.

For the second consecutive year due to the pandemic, many in-person Remembrance Day ceremonies are being vastly scaled back. People are encouraged not to attend Remembrance Day ceremonies at their local cenotaph in the mid-Island region again this year.

NanaimoNewsNOW will provide a Facebook live stream of the Remembrance Day ceremony commencing on Thursday, Nov. 11 at 10:45 a.m. from Dallas Square Cenotaph.

Itineraries listed below outline activities happening at seven Mid Island legions between Ladysmith and Bowser. A vaccination passport and ID must be presented to gain entry to all local legions, while all other COVID-19 provincial health guidelines will be adhered to.

Nanaimo – Legion 256 (East Wellington Rd.)
8:00 to 9:30 a.m. — Complimentary breakfast
10:45 to 11:30 a.m. — Live broadcast of ceremony from Dallas Square Cenotaph in downtown Nanaimo via Shaw TV will be shown in the hall and lounge. The general public is welcome inside Branch 256.
12 to 3 p.m. — Complimentary lunch will be served; beef on a bun and salad
1 to 3 p.m. — Live entertainment
3 to 8 p.m. — Kitchen open, additional live entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening

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Nanaimo – Legion 10 (Harewood Rd.)
10:45 to 11:30 a.m. — Remembrance Day ceremony at Dallas Square Cenotaph in downtown Nanaimo
11:30 to 1 p.m. — Legion opens for members, veterans and parade participants only
1 p.m. — Soup and chili served
5:30 p.m. — Beef on a bun served
1 to 6 p.m. — Music provided by a DJ. Legion 10 closes at 8 p.m

Lantzville – Legion 257 (Lantzville Rd.)
10:45 – Legion representatives meet at cenotaph at Huddlestone Park. There is no parade this year.
11-11:45 a.m. – Ceremony at Lantzville Cenotaph
12 p.m. – Light complimentary lunch for Legion members and invited guests. Space constraints could result in denied entry. Preference will be made to veterans and Legion members
4-6 p.m. – Roast beef dinner with all trimmings are complimentary for veterans
6 to 9 pm.– Music in lounge.

Ladysmith – Legion 171 (1st Ave.)
10:45 to 10:55 a.m. — March from the Legion to the Rotary Memorial Peace Garden & Cenotaph
11-11:20 a.m. – Ceremony at Ladysmith Cenotaph. Wreaths will be pre-laid. The public is asked to place their wreaths following the ceremony
11:30 a.m. – Social gathering at the Legion where sandwiches will be served. The hall upstairs will be open for socializing
3:30 to 4 p.m. — Lasagna is served

The Ladysmith Legion is expected to remain open beyond 9 p.m

Parksville – Legion 49 (Hirst Ave W)
10:45 to 11:20 a.m. A full service ceremony taking place at the Parksville Cenotaph at 11 Jensen Ave. East. Wreaths will be pre-placed. Three planes will do a fly-over at 11 a.m

The Parksville Legion (Mt. Arrowsmith Branch) is not hosting post Remembrance Day festivities this year due to the pandemic

Qualicum Beach – Legion 76 (Veterans Way)
10 to 10:15 a.m. — People wishing to march in the parade to the Legion are asked to meet in the parking lot of the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre
10:15 to 10:45 a.m. — Parade begins, proceeding to the Legion on Veterans Way via Jones St., 2nd Ave. and Memorial Ave.
10:45 to 11:11 a.m. Parade arrives at the Legion. The service begins with a moment of silence commencing at 11:11 a.m. Following the service veterans are welcome to enter the Legion
1 p.m. — The Qualicum Beach Legion opens for afternoon socializing

Bowser – Legion 211 (Island Hwy. West)
10:15 – 10:30 a.m. — Ceremony participants meet in Legion parking lot
10:40 a.m. — Honour guard marches across the highway to the Bowser Cenotaph
10:50 a.m. — Guests are placed in their seats
11 to 1:20 a.m. — Bowser Remembrance Day ceremony commences
1 p.m. — Legion opens for an afternoon gathering

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