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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, November 2, 2021
The Town of Stratford invites Stratford residents, family, friends, and visitors to honour our veterans virtually in 2021, or by visiting the cenotaph at Stratford Town Centre on their own time throughout the week of Remembrance Day.
“We are always proud to honour our veterans on and around Remembrance Day,” stated Mayor Steve Ogden. “Although this year we will again be unable to gather in the large numbers we would have in the past, we can still stand strong virtually together to honor the sacrifice of our veterans and those who gave, and continue to give, their lives in line of service.”
Like previous years, residents will be able to get to know some of Stratford’s veterans in the lead up to Remembrance Day. The annual Stratford Heroes display will be available beginning on Friday, November 5th for viewing in the foyer of Stratford Town Centre, remaining until November 15th. Those coming to view the banners are reminded to practice physical distancing, are required to wear a face mask and to have their ID and vaccination record with them.
While visiting Stratford Town Centre, residents can view a series of artwork located on the second floor of Stratford Town Centre. These pieces are on loan from Veterans Affairs Canada while the Daniel J. MacDonald building is under renovation.
Residents are also encouraged to notice the bus shelters around the Town of Stratford which are once again displaying some of our veterans. This display is made possible through the support of the businesses who give up their advertising space to allow our veterans to be featured in bus shelters throughout the Town.
Other remembrance activities for residents to participate in this year include:
• View the rebroadcast of a previous Town of Stratford ceremony
• View the national broadcast from Ottawa (available on various platforms and television stations)
• Stratford Remembers with Peace Poppies – The Town will be distributing paper poppies to our two schools as well as providing copies for pick up at Stratford Town Centre and the Stratford Public Library, or to be printed at home from the Town’s website. Residents are encouraged to colour, draw or write in their poppy what peace means to them and display in their window as a show of respect and remembrance.
• Painted Rocks for Remembrance Day – Residents are also being 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.
• Other material and content will be shared on the Town’s social media accounts in the days leading up to Remembrance Day including sharing a video of the banners created for last year’s virtual Remembrance Day ceremony.
“Residents can visit the cenotaph throughout the week of November 11th as individuals or small groups,” added Mayor Ogden. “They can take time to lay their wreath or simply spend a few minutes in quiet reflection. On November 11th, residents are encouraged to observe their two minutes of silence at 11:00am to remember and honour our veterans.”
Information, including the link to a previous Town of Stratford ceremony broadcast, will be available on the
Town’s website at www.townofstratford.ca, through the Town’s Facebook page and on the Town’s Youtube channel.
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For more information please contact:
Wendy Watts, Community & Business Engagement Manager
P: (902) 569-1995
E:
[email protected]
W: www.townofstratford.ca