Kingston and the area remember: Remembrance Day 2019
On November 11 each year, people across the country and around the world honour those who have served in the armed forces in a variety of ways.
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 so many different events taking place, Kingstonist has compiled a list of what is happening and where, as well as the City services affected by the holiday.
City of Kingston Civic Ceremony
The City’s Remembrance Day civic ceremony takes place at the Cross of Sacrifice Cenotaph on King Street at the foot of George Street on Monday, Nov. 11. Starting a 9:15 a.m., wreaths will be laid ahead of the ceremony by community groups, and by veteran and military groups starting at 10:15 a.m.
The bilingual civic service will take place from 10:45 a.m. to 11:20 a.m. Spectators should be in place by 10:40 a.m. to see the parade march on ahead of the service. An ASL Interpreter will be present during the civic ceremony. There will be seating for veterans and people with disabilities. The public is invited to watch the laying of the wreaths before the service.
Please note the following road closures that will take place to accommodate the day’s activities:
- King Street will be closed from Barrie Street to Lower University Avenue from 8:15 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Bagot Street will be closed from West Street to Barrie Street from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Ontario Street will be closed from West Street to Gore Street from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) is hosting two ceremonies of remembrance on campus, which are both open to the public.
RMC Remembrance Day Ceremony
The Remembrance Day ceremony, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the RMC Memorial Arch (on Valour Drive) will mark the anniversary of the armistice which ended the First World War, and honour the memory of brave Canadians who made the ultimate sacrifice while defending our country.
The Memorial Arch, the cornerstone of which was laid in 1923, commemorates ex-cadets who lost their lives in the Great War as well as earlier conflicts. The monuments around Memorial Arch also bear the names of ex-cadets fallen in conflicts, peacekeeping and other causes while in service.
In addition to the ceremony at the Memorial Arch, contingents of RMC officer cadets will also support ceremonies such as: the Remembrance Day civic ceremony at the Cross of Sacrifice Cenotaph in Kingston, the National War Memorial and the National Aboriginal Veterans parade in Ottawa, the Vimy and McNaughton gates at CFB Kingston, and at the Matthew Dawe branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in Amherstview.
LAV III Monument Dedication Ceremony
RMC’s LAV III monument, donated by RMC Class of 1980, commemorates the service and sacrifice of members of RMC and the Canadian Armed Forces who served in Afghanistan. From 2001 to 2014, more than 40,000 soldiers served in Afghanistan, a large number coming from Kingston Garrison and RMC.
Mr. Brian Read, a member of the Class of 1980 and Vice Chair of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council in Ontario, will unveil the monument’s plaque. Comments will also be made by Major-General (Retired) David Fraser, a former commander of Operation Medusa in southern Afghanistan, and Brigadier-General (Retired) Fred Lewis, who also served in Afghanistan and retired as commander of the 4th Canadian Division.
This event will begin at 1:30 p.m. at the LAV III Monument on Precision Drive. Parking will be available in the Sawyer parking lot on General Crerar Crescent.
Royal Canadian Legion ceremonies
Royal Canadian Legion 560 (734 Montreal Street)
The Legion will host its Remembrance Day service beginning at 12:30 p.m.
Royal Canadian Legion 631 – Matthew Dawe Memorial (4034 Bath Road)
Legion Branch 631 will honour veterans at their Cenotaph located on lower Hillview Road in Collins Bay. The service will begin at 10:45 a.m. rain or shine, and following the service, all those in attendance will be welcomed back to the Legion for a warm bowl of soup and an opportunity to socialize with veterans and current members of the military.
Royal Canadian Legion Bath Branch 623
The Legion will host an indoor service beginning at 10:45 a.m., followed by an outdoor service and a light lunch. The public are welcome to join in honouring veterans past and present.
South Frontenac ceremonies
Sydenham
The Sydenham Remembrance Day Ceremony will take place at 4410 Point Road beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Verona
The Verona Remembrance Day Ceremony will take place at 6804 Road 38 beginning at 10:45 a.m. The ceremony will begin at the Verona Free Methodist Church.
Battersea
Battersea Remembrance Day at the Sand Hill Cemetery will take place at 4448 Battersea Road beginning at 10:45 a.m. There will be a gathering at the Storrington Lions Club following the service for homemade soup at no charge, but donations are greatly appreciated.
Kingston Coalition Against Poverty’s Annual Candlelight Vigil for Homeless Veterans
On Remembrance Day, Kingston Coalition Against Poverty (KCAP) invites everyone to join them for their fourth annual a candlelight vigil in memory of an under-remembered and under-served group of war casualties: homeless veterans. Beginning at 7 p.m. at the cenotaph in MacDonald Park, join KCAP in calling for an end to homelessness for those suffering injury and PTSD as a result of their military service, and to ponder the intersections between the power structures that send people to war and the power structures that let people, veterans and otherwise, fall through the cracks.
“Please note, this is a refugee-friendly event. There are many who like to rhetorically pit programs for veterans against programs for refugees, but we are not among them. KCAP believes in striving for adequate quality of life for all people, and in particular we do not believe that we should pit victims of war against each other,” KCAP said of this event.
Changes to City services
Here are the City’s schedule changes for Remembrance Day on Nov. 11:
Garbage, Green Bin and recycling: No collection Monday and collection moves to the day after your normal pick-up day for the rest of the week. Sign-up to be reminded what to put out when at www.CityofKingston.ca/Collection. The Kingston Area Recycling Centre is also closed Monday.
Administrative offices: All administrative offices, including housing and social services and provincial offences are closed Monday.
Utilities Kingston and Kingston Hydro: Open Monday. Electricity prices are NOT off peak on Monday, as it is not an Ontario Energy Board-designated holiday.
INVISTA Centre/ Fitness & Wellness Centre, Artillery Park Aquatic Centre, Rideau Heights Community Centre and arenas: open Monday.
Kingston Transit: Buses run as usual on Monday but will detour around the road closures listed above. Buses will also detour in the vicinity of CFB Kingston from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday. For full detour details, please see www.CityofKingston.ca/BusDetours.
CaraCo Home Field: Closed Monday.
Libraries: All branches of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library are open on Monday.
Confederation Basin and Portsmouth Olympic Harbour marinas: The Confederation Basin Marina office is open. The fueling stations are open at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour, but the office will be closed Monday.
Grand Theatre Box Office: Closed Monday.
If you are aware of any Remembrance Day events we have missed, please let us know. From all of us at Kingstonist, a sincere thank you goes out to all those members of the military — past and present — for their service to our country.