Remembrance Day ceremonies this week began with National Aboriginal Veterans Day on the 8th and continue with several events in Vancouver prior to and on November 11, 2017.
Ongoing
On a Wing and a Prayer
The museum’s latest exhibition, On a Wing and a Prayer, tells the remarkable stories of the Chinese-Canadian Air Force men who fought, died and survived some of the most harrowing situations of the Second World War. These were the men who fought in the air war — the group with highest casualty rate amongst all the armed services. As well, learn how other Chinese Canadian men and women contributed to the success of the air war.
Where: Chinese Canadian Military Museum - 555 Columbia Street, second floor
When: Tuesdays to Sundays
Shaughnessy Elementary students install poppies at city hall
Grade 5 students from Shaughnessy Elementary School have installed a display of red poppies on the grounds of Vancouver City Hall at the corner of West 12 Avenue and Cambie Street. Their teacher, Ms. Carla Pace, was inspired by the major art installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red at the Tower of London in 2014 marking the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.
Friday, November 10
Duty Calls: Men of Christ Church Go to War
A special Remembrance Day event at Christ Church Cathedral commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
Christ Church Cathedral commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and honours Canada’s Armed Forces, past and present, with a presentation of staged reading of the play Call of Duty. Actors will portray the parts of Private Norman Hughes, who fought at Vimy Ridge, and Lieutenant Harold Owen, both remembered in stained glass windows, and Lieutenant-Colonel William Hart-McHarg, memorialized on a plaque — as they step down from the walls of Christ Church Cathedral to tell their stories of life, war, and death. The audience will be invited to join in the singing of anthems and hymns of the Great War. Admission by donation
Where:Christ Church Cathedral - 690 Burrard St.
When: 7:30 pm
Saturday, November 11
Remembrance Day Ceremony
Vancouver’s largest Remembrance Day ceremony takes place at the Victory Square cenotaph Nov. 11. Photo Dan Toulgoet
The city’s largest Remembrance Day Ceremony begins at 10 am with a performance by the Vancouver Bach Youth Choir and Sarabande. At 10:10 am veterans, military marching units and bands will be led to Victory Square by the Vancouver Flag Party for the cenotaph ceremony starting at 10:30 am Shortly afterward, there will be a combined performance by Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services and the Regimental Pipes and Drums of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. At 11 am the Last Post will be sounded. There will be two-minutes of silence, during which a 21-gun salute by the 15th Field Artillery Regiment will be heard from Portside Park. Lament and Rouse will follow. The Royal Canadian Air Force will conduct a fly-past moments later, weather permitting. In Flanders Fields will then be sung by the Bach Youth Choir and Sarabande and wreaths will be placed at the cenotaph.
Where: Victory Square Cenotaph - 200 West Hastings Street
When: 10 to 11:30 am
Remembrance Day Ceremony at UBC
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.
Where: UBC - War Memorial Gym
When: Doors open at 10 am
Remembrance Day at Mountain View Cemetery
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 am: “11” — A community history and music project celebrating the Renfrew Heights Veterans Housing Project. By Mark Haney, performed by the Allegra Chamber Orchestra.
- Noon: — Remembering the Never Fails: A musical tribute to the band of the legendary 85th Regiment, performed by the Homegoing Brass Band.
- 1 pm: 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.
Where: Celebration Hall - 5455 Fraser Street
When: Arrive at 10:30 am
Memorial South Park
Where: East 41st Avenue at Windsor Street
When: 10:30 am
Japanese Canadian War Memorial
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.
Where: Stanley Park near the Pavilion
When: 10:40 am
Grandview Park Remembrance Day ceremony
Where: 1200 block of Commercial Drive
When: 10:45 am
CRAB Park Remembrance Day Ceremony
Where: North end of Main Street
When: 10:55 am
Photo: Jennifer Gauthier
Chinatown Memorial
Where: Keefer at Columbia streets
When: 12:30 pm
Force 136 - Free Remembrance Day movie
Force 136 was a little-known branch of a Second World War British unit of the Special Operations Executive. Many of its recruits were Chinese Canadians from B.C. who were assigned some of the deadliest missions in Japanese-held territories. The brave service of Force 136 helped pave the way toward full citizenship and equal rights for Chinese Canadians. One of the veterans, Douglas Jung, went on to become Canada's first Chinese-Canadian Member of Parliament. A free screening of Force 136, a TELUS Originals documentary, will show on Remembrance Day.
Where: Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden - 578 Carrall Street
When: 2:30 pm
Chor Leoni: One Last Song - 25th annual Remembrance Day concerts
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.
Where: St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church - 1022 Nelson Street
When: 8 pm
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.
