Depending on where you live or whether you appreciate a large gathering or a more modest one, there are various options for participating in Remembrance Day ceremonies this Friday (Nov. 11).
The largest of those planned for the West Shore begins at the Langford branch of the Royal Canadian Legion at 761 Station Ave. A parade of veterans; police, fire and emergency services personnel, cadets, Girl Guides and Scouts and other groups will be marching from the Legion starting at approximately 10:40 a.m. to Veterans Memorial Park, where the ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. New this year, the intersection of Goldstream Avenue and Veterans’ Memorial Parkway will be closed during the two minutes of the silence.
In Colwood, Royal Roads University (2005 Sooke Rd.) hosts a public Remembrance Day service hosted by the Vancouver Island Ex-Cadet Club. The proceedings get underway at 10:40 a.m. in the Italian Garden, followed by refreshments in Hatley Castle. Last year more than 300 community members gathered on campus to attend the ceremony.
And in Metchosin, the 14th Juan de Fuca Scouts and Guides will lead the parade at 10:45 a.m. from the fire hall, 4440 Happy Valley Rd., to St. Mary the Virgin Heritage Church around the corner on Metchosin Road. The ceremony begins at 10:55 and refreshments will be served at the fire hall following the ceremony. Happy Valley Road will be closed to traffic at Rocky Point Road, while Metchosin Road will be closed from Pears to Happy Valley roads for 20 to 30 minutes during the ceremony.