Dozens lined up after Monday's service to pay their own personal respects, including leaving their poppies on the Cenotaph in Nanaimo. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

lest we forget

Thousands pay respects at Remembrance Day services in Nanaimo & Oceanside

Nov 11, 2024 | 1:00 PM

NANAIMO — Thousands stood in near silence under cloudy, sombre skies at services across the region Monday, paying respect and saying thank you to those who served.

Services for Remembrance Day were held at Cenotaph’s in Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville, Qualcium Beach, Bowser and Ladysmith on Monday, Nov. 11, recognizing the 106th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice which officially ended the First World War in 1918.

At a service held in front of the Cenotaph in Nanaimo, Archdeacon Brian Evans led the crowd in prayer prior to the laying of the Wreaths, putting into context the importance of gathering every year.

“We pray that we may carry the torch, a torch that has been entrusted to us so that their sacrifice will not be forgotten. Until all peace loving peoples in our world, in all purposes of life, will defend those freedoms and principles of freedom-hood for which these valiant hearts lived and died. Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.”

Thousands of people lined Front St. and Church St. to pay their respects on Remembrance Day. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Lining Front St. and Church St., the crowd spanned five or six-deep in sections.

The service began with a parade down Church St. featuring local Armed Forces units, RCMP and other service community groups.

As has become tradition over the years, the sombre service featured a happy note to start as the crowd sang Happy Birthday to Victor Osborne, born on Nov. 11, 1918 and celebrating his 106th birthday.

Osborne, who served in the Navy during the Second World War, sat under a tent for the service and has been a fixture of the Nanaimo Remembrance Day program for years.

Osborne (right, green beret), speaks with attendees prior to the Remembrance Day service at the Nanaimo Cenotaph. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Archdeacon Evans’ took time towards the end of the service for a self-titled “moment of reflection”.

He said in many ways, we’ve been fortunate to not see any major global conflict or theatre of war open in recent years, but acknowledged recent conflicts where Canadian soldiers were deployed.

Evans added with every passing year, we as a community ensure those who served and sacrificed are not forgotten.

“I recognize those, as I look to my right, and I see the young people for whom it is the fourth generation at least…who we’re passing the torch to. They will be taking up the post for those have served so well in this country.”

The march past closed Monday’s service, with the commanding officer of the HMCS Nanaimo taking the salute. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The service in Nanaimo ended with a march past, with Lieutenant-Commander Tyler Smith of the HMCS Nanaimo, along with presidents of Legion Branch 10 Jason Lott and Branch 256 Laurie Grubb.

A full replay of the service at the Nanaimo Cenotaph is available on our Facebook page.

The Colour Guard led Monday’s parade through downtown Nanaimo, ending at the Cenotaph ahead of the service. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Those attending Monday’s service in Nanaimo were afforded the opportunity to go up to the Cenotaph after the official program had ended and pay their own respects. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Members from the RCMP and Canadian Armed Forces stood guard around the Cenotaph on Monday, relieving a 24-hour vigil conducted by local cadet groups beginning the day prior. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Well over 1,000 people stood in near silence for the service, taking time to pay their respects. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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