In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
On the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month of each year, the country pays tribute to the sacrifices made by hundreds of thousands of Canadians spanning more than a century. Commemorating decades of honourable service, Remembrance Day is a time when our community takes pause to reflect upon the impact members of the Canadian forces have had on our way of life.
Remembrance Day is honoured in a variety of ways within London and the surrounding region. The Thames Valley District School Board and the London District Catholic School Board, along with the University of Western Ontario and Fanshawe College, hold assemblies and coordinate field trips to mark the occasion. These often feature music, videos, photography, honoured guests, and websites devoted to the topic. In many cases these services include original productions created by the student body incorporating their studies in history with what are often personal family experiences.
The City of London Remembrance Day services are held outdoors at the Victoria Park Cenotaph, located on the northwest corner of Wellington and Dufferin Streets. Organized by the Zone A-6 Royal Canadian Legion and various other organizations, the services feature a parade, wreath laying ceremony, and readings from a wide range of community figures. The parade begins at 10:30am on the corner of Dundas and Waterloo streets and moves west through to the Cenotaph. Using many local and regional marching bands, active military personnel, and veterans, the parade closes with a moment of silence to honour the men and women, both past and present, who have served our country.
For more information or to order a wreath, please contact The London Poppy Fund at 519-432-8431.