What a difference a year makes.
After much different Remembrance Day events throughout North Simcoe as Canada found itself in the eye of the COVID-19 storm, things will return to some semblance of normalcy this time around.
While last year’s Remembrance Day ceremonies had capacity limits on how many people could attend and were limited to invited guests only, this year’s ceremonies in both Penetanguishene and Midland will be decidedly different.
“The ceremony will be a lot like last year’s,” Dan Travers, sergeant-at-arms for Royal Canadian Legion branch 80 in Midland, said referring to the ceremony’s format, but not the invitation-only event in 2020 that restricted numbers.
“The big difference this year is that we have just had the capacity limits lifted by the provincial government,” Travers said. “Ergo, we encourage everyone to come down to the cenotaph on King Street at 10.30 for a 10.45 march-on.”
Travers said seating around the cenotaph has been reserved for veterans and their families, seniors and people with disabilities.
“Anyone who cannot physical distance by two meters must wear a mask,” he added.
For those who are more comfortable watching the service at home, it will be offered by Rogers TV on cable 53 and live-streamed on rogerstv.com/midland.
Tay Township Legion branches in Port McNicoll, Victoria Harbour and Waubaushene held their Remembrance Day events on Sunday.
In Penetanguishene, meanwhile, there will be a return to a more traditional event this year since there are no restrictions on capacity limits, Royal Canadian Legion branch 68 secretary Pat Van Overschelde.
“There will probably be a fair crowd,” Van Overschelde said.
Last year, the threat of massive fines due to COVID-19 enforcement protocols led to the Penetanguishene Legion opting not to have a formal cenotaph service.
At the time, branch president Paul Howe, who is also a veteran, said that since the maximum allowed at the cenotaph is 25, if a 26th person showed up, the Legion would be liable for a possible fine of $10,000 as well as fines levied of $750 per person.
This time around, most wreaths will be placed beforehand with the public encouraged to arrive by 10:45 a.m. for the 11 a.m. ceremony.
“There will be a few dignitaries who will place wreaths during the ceremony and then they’re (veterans and their families) coming back to the Legion afterwards for refreshments,” Van Overschelde said.
