Cobourg offer virtual Remembrance Day commemorations
By Cecilia Nasmith
The Town of Cobourg’s Community Services Division is teaming up with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 133 to pay tribute to veterans and those who continue to serve with virtual community programming on Remembrance Day.
Remembrance Day observances in Cobourg traditionally draw hundreds of local and regional residents together to pay their respects. Due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on group gatherings, however, the Cobourg Legion branch will host a limited Remembrance Day ceremony at the Victoria Park Cenotaph at 10:30 a.m. that will not be open to the public. Wreaths will be paid prior to the ceremony, with names of individuals and families announced during the service.
Meanwhile, residents are encouraged to participate in a variety of virtual programming activities.
Virtual wreath laying – Create your own wreath or personal monument at home. Take a photo of your creation and send it, along with a message of remembrance, by e-mail to Community Events Co-ordinator Jackie Chapman-Davis at chapmandavis@cobourg.ca. Submissions will be shared on the Experience Cobourg and Cobourg Legion Branch 133 social-media pages on Nov.11.
WWI and WWII virtual historical walking tour – To share the personal history and unique contributions Cobourg residents made in both world wars, the Community Services Division has revised the Armistice18 Poppy Trail Walking Tours (created in honour of the centennial of the Armistice that ended World War I) to include World War II historical information. Working with author and historian Hugh Brewster, who was vital to the Armistice18 project, the town is developing a video tour that can be found on ExperienceCobourg.ca and shared on the town’s social-media pages. The tour will be available in time for Remembrance Day and for years to come, so that residents and guests can learn about Cobourg’s history from the safety of their homes.
The 2020 Poppy Campaign – The Cobourg Legion branch will still host their annual Poppy Campaign safely, with boxes available at participating businesses placed behind plexiglass. As well, you can purchase poppy masks, toques and scarves by contacting Jennifer Robison at 905-375-5451 or jrobison@dalewood.ca.
Two minutes of silence - On Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., Cobourg residents are encouraged to join millions of Canadians in observing two minutes of silence to pay tribute to those who served and are currently serving.
View the Cobourg Remembrance Day ceremony online – Though the Cobourg Legion's service is closed to the public, it will be live-streamed through the Town of Cobourg YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/towncobourg.
View video of veterans' stories – Working with the Cobourg Legion, the Community Services Division is producing a video to share the stories of contributions and sacrifices made by local veterans. It will be launched on the town's YouTube channel prior to the Legion's Remembrance Day ceremony and will be available for years to come at ExperienceCobourg.ca
Remembrance Day will be different this year, but the Town of Cobourg encourages everyone to join together virtually on Nov. 11 to remember, honour and thank all those who served and sacrificed.
