Special Remembrance Ceremonies Honour Veterans in Burlington Nursing Homes
November 6, 2009
BURLINGTON - Mayor Cam Jackson and the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 60 Burlington, are pleased to announce their annual Remembrance Day Service for residents and veterans in Burlington nursing homes will take place next week on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009.
"It is an honour to once again bring these special ceremonies to our nursing home residents who are no longer able to attend the Cenotaph service on November 11th in downtown Burlington," said Mayor Jackson, Master of Ceremonies for the annual event. "Regrettably, each year there are fewer and fewer veterans physically able to attend the Cenotaph service. This is our way of ensuring that we will never forget these great Canadians and the tremendous sacrifices they made on our behalf," said Jackson.
Special services have been arranged for 10 WWII Veterans at Hampton Terrace Nursing Home, 75 Plains Road West, service beginning at 10:00 am. At 11:30 am we will be honouring 19 WWII Veterans who are residents of Billings Court Nursing Home, 3700 Billings Court.
Seven years ago the special annual ceremony was developed by Cam Jackson and Legion member Bill Reid. It includes a full agenda of music, taped messages from Winston Churchill, a stirring rendition of ‘In Flanders Fields and the Legion Colour Guard which includes veterans of the UN mission in Bosnia. Family members and other veterans are invited to attend.
During the First and Second Wars, more than 1.4 million men and women from Canada and Newfoundland were in combat. More than 116,000 of those troops did not return home, they died protecting the liberties we share today.
There are two other Remembrance Services being held on Tuesday, November 11th, 2009 and the Remembrance Day Parade:
At 9:00 am the Burl-Oak Naval Veterans are holding a 30 minute Sunrise Remembrance Day Service at the Naval Ships Memorial Monument in Spencer Smith Park at Burlington's Downtown Waterfront. All are welcome to attend. Information please contact the Burl-Oak Naval Veterans at 905-632-3118.
At 10:30 am the Remembrance Day Parade begins at Central Public School and the processional route is down Brant Street to Elgin Street, Elgin Street to Locust and then Locust to Ontario Street circling Burlington City Hall and concluding at the Cenotaph.
At 11:00 am under the auspices of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 60, a 45-60 minute Remembrance Day Service will take place at the Cenotaph, beside City Hall (426 Brant Street). All are welcome to attend. At 5:30 pm the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 60 will host the Remembrance Dinner at the Legion, 828 Legion Road, Burlington. For dinner tickets or any additional information regarding the Cenotaph Service please call the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 60 at 905-639-6400.
For additional information, please contact: Mayor Cam Jackson, 905-335-7607.