Video by DeAndra Asapokhai
Multimedia by Thea Gribilas
By Edward Djan
Remembrance Day ceremonies were virtual this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Royal Canadian Legion discouraged the general public from attending their annual ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa and streamed it on their Facebook page instead.
Participants at this year’s national ceremony had to wear masks and stay two meters apart from each other.
The Legion scaled down their ceremony and scrapped the veterans’ parade to protect the elderly from the virus.
Danny Martin, director of the Legion’s national ceremony, said despite the changes, Canadians are still able to commemorate Remembrance Day from their homes.
“Watching the ceremony on television, conducting the two minutes of silence on your own at 11 o’clock, donate to the poppy fund and by remembering and doing little things within your own household that helps you remember.”
Use the interactive below to see how the national Remembrance Day ceremony looked
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Ontario encourages people to stay home
Organizers of Ontario’s Remembrance Day ceremony also encouraged people to watch their event from their homes.
The event was live streamed on the Premier’s YouTube channel.
According to Premier Doug Ford, Ontario’s virtual ceremony honours veterans while keeping them safe.
“This year is considerably different. We face a new enemy in COVID-19, and we must take care because our health and safety is paramount. Those we honour are with us in spirit, they are with us from the safety of their homes.”
World War II veteran Allen Swayze is hopeful for a return to the old format next year.
“It’s bad because the disease is around, but you just have to sit back and relax and make sure that you’ll still be there for the next one.”
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