Pandemic precautions mean Remembrance Day ceremonies in Guelph won’t be as large in 2020 as they traditionally are, but they will contain the key components, said David Thompson, chair of Guelph Legion’s Poppy and Remembrance Committee.
“We feel confident that what we are providing is the most important elements of the service,” he told GuelphToday. “What we have are the bare elements, but I think they are the most important elements of remembrance that will be covered during both ceremonies.”
Plans for two Nov. 11 ceremonies were finalized on Tuesday evening. One is set for the garden of McCrae House museum (108 Water St.) beginning at 9 a.m. and the other at the cenotaph – corner of Woolwich Street and Eramosa Road – to get underway at 10:45 a.m.
Both are expected to be shorter than usual, with the prior running about 20 minutes and the latter lasting about 30 minutes.
“We have to remember, of course, this is November we’re entering. Sometimes we get good weather and sometimes we don’t,” Thompson said. “We’ve tried to keep it as simple and as direct as possible. We don’t really want people standing around outside in the cold or the rain or the snow.”
Ceremony participants will be restricted to Legion members, with the public invited to observe, and wreaths will be laid in advance. Each service will feature the traditional moment of silence, prayers and information about those who “fought and died on our behalf,” Thompson explained.
“We are encouraging people to really consider about attending, look at their own health issues and so on,” said Thompson. “If they come, we want them to wear a mask and also make sure they physical distance themselves … from people who are not in their particular bubble.”
The cenotaph service will be carried live on Rogers TV. The service at McCrae House will be live-streamed on the Facebook page for Guelph Museums, which operates McCrae House.
Woolwich Street will be closed off in front of the cenotaph in order to provide more space for people to distance themselves from others.
“Normally we would have the mayor speak at this and other dignitaries there … but we’re trying to reduce the number of participants and thereby reduce the chance of infection,” Thompson said, referring to the pandemic, which has resulted in the cancelation of the traditional Remembrance Day parade and service at the Sleeman Centre.
“We decided this would be the best way to do it for this year.”
Thompson encourages anyone who wants to show their respect, whether they attend a ceremony or not, to donate to the annual Poppy Fund.
Guelph Museums is also offering two new online education programs focused on the first and second world wars. Each session combines pre-recorded vignettes filmed on-site at McCrae House, live instruction with a museum educator, and a “real time” question-and-answer period.
One, titled John McCrae and the First World War, traces the experience of Canadians during the First World War through an exploration of life in the trenches, study of artifacts and uniforms, and reflection on John McCrae’s poem, In Flanders Fields.
The second program, titled Guelph and Canada in the Second World War, marks the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Europe. It will guide groups through the worldwide conflict by sharing pictures, stories, and artifacts from Guelph Museums’ collection.
These programs will be offered daily between Nov. 3 and 6 and Nov. 9 and 13. The are designed for junior and senior students, as well as for adult community groups. For more information and program bookings, visit guelphmuseums.ca.
On Remembrance Day, McCrae House will be open extended hours, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Guelph Civic Museum (52 Norfolk St.) will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Time ticketed entry is required and can be booked in advance through Eventbrite or by calling 519-836-1221.
For more information, visit guelphmuseums.ca.
