Events planned for Kingston and area to mark Remembrance Day 2023
Remembrance Day, marked annually on November 11 across Canada and in many countries around the world, is a military memorial day observed since the end of the First World War, to honour members of the armed forces who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The day is observed on November 11 to recognize the end of WWI battles on “the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month,” the day and time fighting ceased in accordance with the armistice signed earlier the same day.
Here in the Kingston area, thousands will come together at a number of different events, remembering those who lost their lives while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as those veterans who remain with us, and those currently serving.
With Remembrance Day 2023 coming up this weekend, we’ve collected information on all of the ceremonies and events occurring in Kingston and the area. Remembrance Day will be observed with an official City of Kingston Civic Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, as well as other ceremonies in the area, as listed below.
The City of Kingston stated that there are no changes to City facilities and services this year.
No matter how you observe or mark Remembrance Day, keep in mind a number of ceremonies involve parades on public roadways, so be cautious in your travels, and plan ahead to give yourself and others the time needed.
City of Kingston Civic Ceremony
The City of Kingston Remembrance Day Civic Ceremony will take place on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at the Cross of Sacrifice, located in Macdonald Park, where King Street East meets George Street.
“The public is invited to watch the laying of the wreaths before the service should they wish,” the City said in a press release.
The Civic Ceremony will be in French and English, have seating for veterans and those with disabilities, and an ASL interpreter will be present throughout. The schedule is as follows:
9:15 a.m.: Community wreath-laying ceremony
10:15 a.m.: Veterans and military groups wreath-laying ceremony
10:45 a.m.: Civic Ceremony
For those who cannot attend in person, the City of Kingston noted that YourTV Kingston will be filming the proceedings and plans to broadcast the events on channels 13 and 700 at 2 p.m., 6 p.m., and 10 p.m. the same day.
The City also offered the following tips on “ways to remember and honour on Remembrance Day”:
- Observe 2 minutes of silence at 11 a.m.
- Attend the Civic Ceremony in person
- Purchase a wreath or poppy from the Royal Canadian Legion. To order a wreath please contact Merrill Gooderham, Poppy Chair, Royal Canadian Legion at 613-544-5522.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 560
The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) Branch 560 will host its annual Remembrance Day ceremonies on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023.
The service will be begin at 1 p.m. at the Legion’s Cenotaph, and followed by comradery and live music from the band Rewind in the Legion’s Main Hall. The events are open to the public. The RCL Branch 560 is located at 734 Montreal Street.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 613
The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) Branch 613 in Collins Bay will host its annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the Collins Bay cenotaph.
The Matthew Dawe Memorial RCL Branch’s ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m. at the Legion’s cenotaph, which is located on Hillview Road at the bottom of Mona Drive. The Legion asks that attendees arrive in advance of the ceremony at 10:45 a.m. Parking is not available on Hillview Road, so attendees are advised to park at the legion and walk to the cenotaph. Representatives from RCL Branch 631 will parade from the Legion to the cenotaph and back, and invites attendees to join them at the Legion following the events.
Wilton Cenotaph ceremony
The Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics, in association with the Lions Club of Odessa and District, will be conducting the annual Remembrance Day Service at the Wilton Cenotaph on Wilton on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, starting at 10:30 am, according to Loyalist Township.
“We gather to remember those who fell and made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms,” the Township stated. “This Remembrance Day Service normally attracts around 200 people which includes Military, Veterans, school children, wreath layers, members of local, provincial, and federal governments and Police, EMS and first responders also attend due to the aging Veterans.”
Due to the large attendance, Loyalist Township has approved a temporary road closure request for Wilton for Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. which allows the service to be held mainly on the street. The service includes a four-plane formation Fly-by organized by the CFI of Global Flight Training Solutions as well as vintage airplanes from the Kingston Ultralight Flying Club at approximately 11 a.m.
“Following the service, everyone is invited back to the Palace in Odessa for refreshments and fellowship,” the Township said. The Wilton Cenotaph is located at the intersection of Simmons and Fisk Roads, across from the Wilton Cemetery.
Amherst Island Remembrance ceremony
Residents of Amherst Island will have an opportunity to observe a ceremony on Remembrance Day without leaving the Island.
A Remembrance Day ceremony will take place on Amherst Island beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, at the Amherst Island cenotaph, located in front of Amherst Island Public School (5955 Front Road in Stella). The ceremony will be led by Father Don from St. Albans Church, and attendees are invited to gather at the cenotaph at 10:45 a.m., prior to the commencement of the ceremony.
Do you know of additional Remembrance Day events in the Kingston area that we’ve missed listing here? Email Editor Tori Stafford at [email protected] to let us know!