An honourary ceremony known to attract the largest indoor crowd in Black Diamond will be scaled down significantly this year in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Unable to open the Oilfields High School gymnasium to hundreds of spectators in honour of Remembrance Day due to Alberta Health Services protocols, the Royal Canadian Legion Turner Valley Branch #78 executive is planning a low-key service for Nov. 11.
Linda Macaulay, poppy chairperson and first vice-president of the legion, said the ceremony will be simple, with just a few people in attendance including Chaplain Rev. Alan Getty, a piper, a bugler, political representatives and some legion executive members. The colour parade and local cadet groups won’t be participating.
“We will be at the cenotaph, weather permitting, or inside the legion, following all of the COVID protocols, but we won’t be open to the public,” she said.
Macaulay said the public can watch the ceremony live on the Turner Valley Legion Facebook page from 10:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.
Their presence will be missed, she said.
“This is the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two,” she said. “Sadly, it’s a big celebration but we’re stuck. We’re at least lucky to be able to still celebrate and recognize and remember our veterans, so that is key.”
Macaulay is asking church groups to ring their bells at 11 a.m.
Invitations were sent to the 71 veterans in the region, inviting them to a free turkey supper at the legion. Macaulay said an average of 45 veterans attend each year, and that physical distancing and other safety protocols will be in place.
Prior to the ceremony, the tribute to those who served in wars and peacekeeping efforts will kick off with the Legion’s annual poppy campaign ceremony Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. at the cenotaph in Turner Valley where poppies will be pinned on political delegates and crosses bearing the names of Turner Valley soldiers killed in the First and Second World Wars laid at the cenotaph.
The Turner Valley ceremony follows the first presentation of the poppy to the Governor General in Ottawa and the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta earlier in the week.
Macaulay said the poppy campaign raises money for veterans with more than 70 collection boxes placed in stores throughout Black Diamond, Turner Valley, Longview, Priddis and Millarville until Nov. 10 and at the Millarville Christmas Market Nov. 5-8 and 12-15.
Money raised during the three-week campaign will go into a trust fund to support veterans and their families, as well as school bursaries, the literary poster and essay contest, local cadet groups and medical equipment for the Sheep River Health Trust.
“During COVID, veterans are isolated more so they will need help to deal with any mental health issues and doctors’ appointments,” said Macaulay.
Macaulay said money not used locally will go into the centralized poppy fund.
“We all share in being there for whatever veteran knocks on our door,” she said. “The veteran doesn’t have to be a member of the legion.”
Last year’s poppy campaign in the High Country region raised $17,000.
