A live Remembrance Day ceremony honouring our veterans and their sacrifices is important, especially during the 75^th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. However, as with so many other commemorations during the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to safely gather together as we once did.

The City of Windsor has partnered with the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee, local military representatives, Windsor Police Service and performing artists to re-imagine a Remembrance Day program that follows public health guidelines while providing a meaningful opportunity to remember our heroes.

WE REMEMBER THEIR STORIES

Between Monday, October 26, and Monday, November 9, 2020, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens is asking local veterans and their families to record videos reflecting on their service, their stories, their comrades and Remembrance Day. The videos will be shared across social media as they are submitted in the days leading up to November 11, 2020. The videos can be recorded by phone, in landscape/horizontal format, and submitted to the Mayor’s Office via email at mayoro@citywindsor.ca.

“LEST WE FORGET” REMEMBRANCE DAY VIRTUAL CONCERT

On Friday, November 6, 2020, at 7:00 p.m., the Windsor Classic Chorale (WCC) will broadcast their virtual concert “Lest We Forget” to honour the sacrifices made by our Canadian soldiers in war. The WCC has created a program consisting of “Armistice 1918” by Carnahan, “Requiem” by Hella Johnson, “In Remembrance” by Daley and “After the War” originally sung in the movie Passchendaele and arranged for choir by Mark Sirrett. Along with the choral music, there will be readings and images from around Windsor-Essex commemorating our fallen soldiers. This concert will be broadcast via the Windsor Classic Chorale YouTube channel.

REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE

On Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at 11:00 a.m., representatives of the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee (WVMSC), pre-registered wreath bearers and government officials will attend the cenotaph in Windsor for a small ceremony, observing all public health restrictions for in-person gatherings. Spectators are asked not to attend due to the limited space and requirement to physically distance. The service will be broadcast live on YourTV and via Facebook Live on the City of Windsor’s Facebook page, making the ceremony available for all residents to safely experience from their homes. YourTV will also rebroadcast the ceremony at 4pm and 9pm.