Media Release: Town of Stratford Preparing for a Return to In-Person Remembrance Day Service
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 7, 2022
The Town of Stratford is pleased to be once again planning an in-person Remembrance Day ceremony for Stratford residents, family, friends, and visitors. The Town’s ceremony to honour veterans at the Annual Stratford Remembrance Day Service will take place Friday, November 11th beginning at 10:45 a.m. at Stratford Town Centre, 234 Shakespeare Drive.
“The Town of Stratford is proud to honour our veterans at our annual Remembrance Day service,” stated Mayor Steve Ogden. “It will be wonderful to again be able to join together in-person while we reflect on the sacrifice made by these individuals. Their sacrifices, past and present, should never be forgotten. We look forward to seeing residents from all walks of life and backgrounds come together on this important day.”
Ahead of Remembrance Day the Town of Stratford’s Heritage Committee will be unveiling a third interpretive panel which tells the story of a plane crash that took place during a training exercise on January 12, 1942. This wartime tragedy took place in Stratford during the Second World War and tells the story of the six airmen and one civilian that lost their lives during a routine air test that turned fatal. The installation will be on what is now known as Veterans Memorial Green, which encompasses the area of greenspace in front of Stratford Town Centre where the cenotaph is located, including the entirety of grassed block it is located within.
In the lead up to our Remembrance Day Ceremony residents are encouraged to get to know some of Stratford’s very own veterans by visiting our Stratford Heroes display which will be available for viewing from November 1st to 21st at Stratford Town Centre. On the second floor at Stratford Town Centre are a series of paintings on loan from Veterans Affairs Canada. The public is invited to view this powerful display while they are at Stratford Town Centre. Residents are also encouraged to take time to notice the bus shelters around the Town of Stratford which are once again displaying some of our veterans.
While a table will not be present this year for children to create their own Valentines for Vets on site, any young resident who wishes to show veterans their gratitude for the sacrifices they made serving our country, is invited to drop off their hand-made valentines until November 21, 2022 to Tanya Craig’s attention. Each year Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) invites Canadian schools, individuals and organizations to make Valentines for Vets. VAC, then distributes the valentines to Veterans in long-term care facilities across the country in time for February 14.
“We recognize that not everyone in our community is ready or able to attend in-person gatherings,” added Mayor Ogden. “We are pleased to be able to live-stream our service this year to the Town’s Facebook page and offer a variety of other ways residents can participate in Remembrance Day on their own time, whether in the lead up to, or in the days following.”
Alternative remembrance activities for residents to participate in this year include:
• Wear a poppy
• View the rebroadcast of a previous Town of Stratford ceremony or watch the live-stream on November 11th
• View the national broadcast from Ottawa (available on various platforms and television stations)
• Visit the cenotaph on your own and spend a few minutes in quiet reflection
• Painted Rocks for Remembrance Day – Residents are encouraged to paint poppies on rocks as an act of remembrance. These can be left at the cenotaph, randomly around the community or simply be displayed at individual residences.
Veterans and present serving members of the Canadian Forces who wish to be on parade are asked to meet at 10:15 a.m. in the foyer at Stratford Town Centre. The ceremony will begin at 10:45 a.m. at Stratford Town Centre, 234 Shakespeare Drive. Light refreshments will be available following the ceremony and all are welcome to attend.
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For more information please contact:
Wendy Watts, Community and Business Engagement Manager
P: (902) 569-1995
E:
[email protected]
W: www.townofstratford.ca
Printable version:
Media Release - Town of Stratford Preparing for a Return to In-Person Remembrance Day Service (November 7, 2022)
More information:
Valentines for Veterans
Peace Poppy Printable
Stratford Heroes Video (2020)