Remembrance Day Across Ottawa

Photos by Andre Gagne.

This Friday, as we do every year, people from across Ottawa and the country will come together to stop and remember. To remember those who have fallen, remember those who served, and remember those who continue to defend our freedom.

We have put together a list of Remembrance Day ceremonies and unique events of remembrance, taking place across the city so that everyone can find an opportunity to remember and thank our veterans.

National War Memorial
10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

If you are able, make your way downtown to experience the National Ceremony of Remembrance at the National War Memorial, at the corner of Elgin St. and Wellington St. Organized by the Royal Canadian Legion this ceremony is broadcast live across Canada and begins with a large parade of pipers and war veterans marching from Cartier Square Drill Hall towards the War Memorial.  The official ceremony begins at 10:55 a.m. and includes wreath laying by veterans, the Prime Minister, the Governor General of Canada, and the Silver Cross Mother – a woman whose child has died while serving in the military – as well as a fly pass. Expect huge crowds and road closures, so arrive early.

At the end of the ceremony individuals are welcome to remove their poppies and place them on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Carlingwood Mall
10:55 a.m.

If you are unable to stand or be outside for long periods of time, the Westboro Legion Branch 480 is organizing a Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Carlingwood Mall. This ceremony and wreath laying will be held indoors near the north entrance. A stage is set up and chairs provided for those attending.

Westboro Legion
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Arrive at the Westboro Legion #480, located at 389-391 Richmond Rd, at 1:30 p.m. to watch a parade of veterans, cadets and a band march to the Cenotaph on Richmond Road. At 2:00 p.m. there will be a ceremony and wreath laying followed by camaraderie and music from 2:30 to 6:30 pm at the Legion that includes performances by the band Johnny Vegas and Sherri Harding. A contribution of food for the Potluck at 5 p.m. would be appreciated.

Beechwood Cemetery
10:30 am

Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Ave, is home to the National Military Cemetery to the Canadian Forces. Members of the military along with their families and friends are invited to the cemetery for a special Remembrance Day ceremony. Military members should be dressed in service dress 1A, issued raincoat, or gabardine & black gloves depending on weather conditions. Free parking within the cemetery is available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Canadian War Museum
10:40 a.m.

Located just west of downtown at Lebreton Flats, the Canadian War Museum will be welcoming the public to be part of a moving Remembrance Day experience. At exactly 11:00 a.m. sunlight will shine through a single window in Memorial Hall to frame the headstone representing Canada’s Unknown Soldier.

Admission to the museum is free on Remembrance Day but tickets to observe Memorial Hall at 11:00 a.m. are limited, so arrive early. Tickets are available starting at 9:30 a.m. If you cannot make it, this moving event will also be broadcast and streamed live at warmuseum.ca/remember. Special tours and experiences will be taking place all day.

Poppy Drop
6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

This year, the Royal Canadian Legion is presenting a virtual Poppy Drop on Parliament Hill. Every night this week from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. until Nov. 11, 2016, a stunning and humbling display of 117,000 falling poppies will be projected onto the iconic Peace Tower and Centre Block of the Parliament buildings – representing each of Canada’s fallen.