Veterans Week events include everything from solemn Remembrance Day ceremonies to theatrical performances.
Note: Drivers of vehicles displaying B.C. veteran licence plates will enjoy free parking at City of Vancouver parking meters, in EasyPark parkades and in surface lots, as well as in park board operated facilities for Veterans Week, Nov. 4 to 11. The free parking also extends to popular destinations, including Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park and the Vancouver Aquatic Centre. The City offers the complimentary parking to recognize the military service and dedication Canadian men and women provided to our country and to facilitate their work distributing poppies.
Nov. 5
A Climate of Peace
Remembrance service with guest preacher Elizabeth May
10:30 a.m.
Canadian Memorial United Church and Centre for Peace
1825 West 16th Ave.
May, leader of the Green Party of Canada, will stay for a Q & A session following the service.
1 to 3 p.m. Books of Remembrance open house: the church houses the only copies of the Books of Remembrance outside Ottawa. Stop by to view the books and names of family members who gave their lives in the hope of peace. The public is also invited to stop by and view the historic stained glass windows created as a memorial for peace after the First World War. Visit canadianmemorial.org.
Nov. 7
No Stone Left Alone
10:45 to 11:45 a.m.
Mountain View Cemetery
5455 Fraser St.
The seventh annual No Stone Left Alone Memorial Foundation remembrance event takes place at Mountain View Cemetery during which elementary school students, soldiers and members of the community remember Canada’s fallen military in a ceremony that involves students placing poppies on each and every soldier’s headstone in the Fields of Honour throughout the City of Vancouver and area. Over 10,000 poppies will be placed on the headstones of military members to commemorate the lives and sacrifices of these brave soldiers. Visit nostoneleftalone.ca.
Nov. 8
National Aboriginal Veterans Day
Takes place annually in Canada on Nov. 8.
(The Courier was unable to confirm any details for a Vancouver ceremony by press deadline, but will update this column at vancourier.com if more information becomes available.) Visit veterans.gc.ca.
Nov. 11
10 to 11:30 a.m.
Victory Square Cenotaph
200 West Hastings St.
The city’s largest Remembrance Day Ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. with opening remarks, music and prayers followed by the annual parade of veterans, military marching units and bands. At 11 a.m. the Last Post will be sounded. Visit vancouver.ca.
Chor Leoni: One Last Song
25th annual Remembrance Day concerts
8 p.m.
St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church
1022 Nelson St. at Burrard
Chor Leoni continues its tradition of Remembrance Day concerts with a program of powerful music paired with thoughtful readings focused on the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge and its place in Canadian history. Musical highlights include Kurt Bestor’s Prayer of the Children and a new setting of In Flanders Fields by Canadian composer Michael Betteridge. As always the concert closes with The Last Post and the singing of Rupert Lang’s Kontakion. Visit chorleoni.org.
Remembrance Day at Mountain View Cemetery
Musical and theatrical tribute
Arrive 10:30 a.m.
Celebration Hall
5455 Fraser St.
The Little Chamber Music Series That Could is proud to present three unique concerts taking place at Mountain View Cemetery in honour of Canada's veterans on Remembrance Day:
11 a.m.: “11” — A community history and music project celebrating the Renfrew Heights Veterans Housing Project. By Mark Haney, performed by the Allegra Chamber Orchestra.
12 p.m. — Remembering the Never Fails: A musical tribute to the band of the legendary 85th Regiment, performed by the Homegoing Brass Band.
1 p.m.: Solace — Music for Remembrance and Reflection performed by the Allegra Chamber Orchestra, featuring works by Jocelyn Morlock, Elizabeth Knudsen, Mark Haney and Elvis Costello.
All three concerts will take place in the Celebration Hall — enter the cemetery at East 39th Avenue off Fraser Street. All performances are free and accessible. Visit vancouver.ca.
Japanese Canadian War Memorial
10:40 a.m.
Stanley Park near the Pavilion
Organized by the Japanese Canadian War Memorial Committee of the Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre with displays and a reception to follow at the Stanley Park Rowing Club. Visit nikkeiplace.org.
Remembrance Day Ceremony at UBC
Doors open at 10 a.m.
War Memorial Gym
This year marks the 66th annual Remembrance Day ceremony at UBC organized so that faculty, staff, students and members of the on and off-campus community can honour and remember those who served in times of war, military conflict and peace. This year’s ceremony will include short readings, remarks from special guests and musical performances by the UBC Opera Ensemble.
Light refreshments will be served after the ceremony and all are welcome to stay. Visit ceremonies.ubc.ca.
Annual Remembrance Day events in Vancouver, which had no updated information available by the Courier’s Oct. 31 press deadline. Visit vancouver.ca for updated information when it becomes available or show up to the ceremony of your choice before 11 a.m., Nov. 11, which is when most ceremonies are held.
Chinatown Memorial
Keefer at Columbia streets
CRAB Park Remembrance Day Ceremony
North end of Main Street
Grandview Park Remembrance Day Ceremony
1200 block of Commercial Drive
South Memorial Park
East 41st Avenue at Windsor Street
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