Legion confirms Remembrance Day service to be held at Cenotaph

Victoria Park will be the site of Regina’s only Remembrance Day service on Nov. 11.

In a media release Thursday, the Regina branch of the Royal Canadian Legion confirmed what branch president Ron Hitchcock told 980 CJME on Oct. 7: The service will be held at the Cenotaph in downtown Regina.

There won’t be a ceremony at the Brandt Centre.

The change to the annual program was precipitated by COVID-19 and restrictions put in place by health officials. As well, the Regina branch was given direction by the Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion.

“It would be a disservice to those who have served and are serving our country’s needs to put anyone at risk,” the Legion’s release said.

According to the release, everyone who attends the service will have to wear a mask. The maximum number of people who can attend is 150 and, because there’s a large number of invited guests, the Legion is asking members of the public not to attend in person.

Instead, the public is encouraged to watch the service live on Access Communications and on Facebook.

The Legion said wreaths will be placed at the Cenotaph ahead of the ceremony on Nov. 11; there won’t be an official wreath-laying during the service. Those who want to purchase a wreath can do so by contacting the branch office.

There won’t be a veterans parade or a parade of military and RCMP personnel from the area. As well, cadets won’t be participating in the ceremony.