The Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 76 cenotaph in Meadow Lake. (File photo/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Honouring Our Veterans

Meadow Lake to have outdoor Remembrance Day service, following COVID-19 protocols

Nov 10, 2020 | 2:53 PM

Meadow Lake is planning an outdoor Remembrance Day service Nov. 11, while following COVID-19 restrictions.

The service will take place in front of the cenotaph located beside the Royal Canadian Legion Meadow Lake Branch No. 76 on 1st Street West.

The public is welcome to take in the event “remotely,” if they wish to stand somewhere on the street, while following social distancing protocols, or remain in their vehicles.

They can also park their vehicles in the Meadow Lake Co-op parking lot across the street, to watch the service from there and listen to it on the radio.

The program will be broadcast on 102.3 FM CJNS and live-streamed on the Meadow Lake Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 76 Facebook Page.

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Alloha Twanow, the Royal Canadian Legion Meadow Lake Branch No. 76 poppy chair, is helping organize the event, with a limited number of dignitaries participating.

People are asked to wear masks if they are not able to maintain a social-distance of at least two metres.

“We will be wearing masks, those of us who are participating,” Twanow said.

Anyone wanting to make a donation to the local Poppy Fund in memory of a veteran is welcome to contact Twanow.

“The needs of the Poppy Fund are still the same,” she said. “We still look forward to good support from the community. I’m very impressed by the support our volunteers have had so far this year. I’m pleased with the support our community is giving us. It’s always been good, and I expect it will be the same.”

Meadow Lake Legion Branch No. 76 President Joanne Carter said the local Legion is “trying something totally different” this year by having the event outside to make the service possible.

In the past, the event was usually held at the Meadow Lake Civic Centre.

“With COVID, large numbers aren’t allowed. So we’re doing it outside this year, which we haven’t done for years,” Carter said.

She said many of the organizations that normally participate, such as the Air Cadets, Brownies, and Girl Guides, simply cannot take part because of the pandemic restrictions for gathering.

There will also be no free lunch at the branch this year as well.

Carter said she still appreciates the Legion is able to have some type of service to honour the veterans.

“It’s our most important event,” she said. “Everyone knows what Remembrance Day is… It’s just nice to remember.”

Carter mentioned she hopes to see everyone wearing a poppy.

All funds raised from poppy donations benefit the Legion’s Poppy account to help and aid veterans and their families.

“Our goal is to get a poppy out to everybody to wear one, just to remember,” Carter said. “We always say we don’t sell poppies. We’ll take donations if you want, but it is not mandatory.”

With files from Josh Ryan.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @meadowlakeNOW