Kingston and the area remember: Remembrance Day 2021

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.

Remembrance Day will be observed with an official City of Kingston Civic Ceremony on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, as well as other ceremonies in the area as listed below. It is also a municipal holiday, and a list of municipal schedule changes and affected City services follows the ceremony details.

Civic Ceremony

The Remembrance Day Civic Ceremony will be observed in person and outdoors on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, at the Cross of Sacrifice, located in Macdonald Park (King Street East and George Street). The community is invited to attend, however attendees are asked to maintain physical distance and wear a face covering as much as possible. 

Initially planned as a virtual event, City of Kingston staff determined this event could safely be held in person, with attendees adhering to all Public Health measures, according to a release from the City.

The City’s 2021 Civic Ceremony will be in French and English, and an ASL interpreter will be present. The schedule for the Ceremony 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. The Civic Ceremony

While the proceedings will no longer be livestreamed, YourTV from Cogeco will film the Ceremony and broadcast the event on channels 13 and 700 at 2 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021.

RCHA Remembrance Day ceremony

The Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (RCHA) Club will host their Remembrance Day ceremony at the RCHA Memorial in City Park (at the corner of King and Barrie Streets) at 11 a.m. to honour all those RCHA members lost in battle, as well as all Canadian veterans. Attendees are asked to arrive by 10:45 a.m. to ensure a prompt start to the ceremony, and wear masks when social distancing cannot be practiced. Music by Mike Myers will follow at 1 p.m. at the RCHA Club on Ontario Street, where proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required upon entry.

Royal Military College of Canada Remembrance Day ceremony

The Remembrance Day ceremony, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Royal Military College of Canada (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.

Royal Canadian Legion ceremonies

Royal Canadian Legion 560 (734 Montreal Street)

An outdoor Remembrance Day Service will take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 11 at the 560 Legion Epitaph. The public is welcome to join in the moment of silence to mark the sacrifice of the many who have fallen in the service of our country and acknowledge the courage of those who still serve. The branch will be open for food and drinks following the service. Proof of vaccination is required to enter the branch and masks are to be worn throughout the service, as well as indoors.

Royal Canadian Legion 631 – Matthew Dawe Memorial (4034 Bath Road)

Legion Branch 631 will welcome the public to the branch for a warm bowl of soup and an opportunity to socialize with veterans and current members of the military throughout the day.

Royal Canadian Legion 137 (Napanee)

Veterans are invited to attend a small ceremony at the cenotaph in Napanee. Distancing and masking are required. The Legion encourages the general public to view the ceremony over livestream on the 88.7 MyFM Facebook page beginning shortly before 11 a.m.

Frontenac County ceremonies

Sydenham

The Sydenham Remembrance Day Ceremony will take place at the cenotaph at the corner of Wheatley Street and Point Road beginning at 10:30 a.m. Masking is required and there is no reception this year.

Verona

The Verona Remembrance Day Ceremony will take place at 6804 Road 38 beginning at 10:45 a.m. There is no reception due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mask and distancing is required.

Battersea

Battersea Remembrance Day at the Sand Hill Cemetery will take place at 4448 Battersea Road beginning at 10:45 a.m. The gathering at the Storrington Lions Club has been cancelled. Masks and distancing are required.

North Frontenac

The Township of North Frontenac is holding a Remembrance Day ceremony at the North Frontenac War Memorial at 6598 Buckshot Road, Plevna. The ceremony will begin at 10:45 a.m. and COVID-19 protocols will be in place.

Day of Remembrance Ceremony

The Day of Remembrance Veterans Committee regretfully announces the cancellation of their annual ‘Day of Remembrance ceremony’ and annual flag placement at Cataraqui Cemetary.

“Although certain COVID-19 restrictions have been lessened, the committee believe that to hold the ceremony would put undue pressure at this time on the school boards, teachers, and especially the students who are so meaningful for our ceremony,” said D.E. Donovan, Chair of the Day of Remembrance Veterans Commitee. “Even though our event will not occur, rest assured our veterans will not be forgotten as the committee will place flags on gravesites in the Military plot as they did last year.”

Changes to City Services

Here are the City’s schedule changes for Remembrance Day on Nov. 11, 2021:

Garbage, Green Bin and Recycling: There will be no collection on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021. 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 Thursday.

Administrative Offices: All administrative offices, including Housing and Social Services and Provincial Offences, will be closed. 

Kingston Transit: Buses run as usual.

Kingston Access Bus: Buses run as usual.

INVISTA Centre/ Fitness & Wellness Centre, Rideau Heights Community Centre and arenas: Open.

Swimming lessons and drop-in programming: City of Kingston programs at the West-end Boys & Girls Club will continue as usual.

CaraCo Home Field: Closed.

Libraries: All branches of the Kingston Frontenac Public Library will be open.

PumpHouse Museum: Closed.

If you are aware of any Remembrance Day events we have missed, please let us know by emailing us at [email protected]. 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.