Remembrance Day is November 11, but this weekend, you have the chance to pay your respects to local war heroes who lost their lives fighting for our freedom.
The Royal Canadian Legion branch 134 is going to cemeteries throughout the Cowichan Valley, placing small, white crosses on the graves of local veterans.
On Saturday, November 4, Mike Bieling with the Old Cemeteries Society is spearheading a commemoration where approximately 120 crosses will be laid in cemeteries in both Shawnigan Lake and Mill Bay.
Bieling says St. Francis Xavier Church in Mill Bay is the site of a major ceremony.
The Shawnigan Lake Cemetery is one of the stops and 32 crosses will be placed at grave-sites there.
Bieling says he and an old friend started the commemoration in Shawnigan Lake.
At 11:30 Sunday morning, St. John’s Church in Cobble Hill is holding a white cross ceremony, where veterans will be honoured for their service.
The public and the families of those veterans who are resting at the Cobble Hill Cemetery are encouraged to join in the commemoration.
Bieling with The Old Cemeteries Society is asking anyone who knows of more local veterans who have been laid to rest to come forward so those veterans can be honoured as well.
Times and Locations of Ceremonies:
Saturday, November 4:Â
Shawnigan Lake Cemetery: 1 p.m.
Mill Bay Methodist/United Church: following Shawnigan ceremony
St. Francis Xavier Church (Mill Bay): 2 p.m.
St. Andrew’s Anglican Church (Cowichan Station): 3 p.m.
Shawnigan Lake Cemetery: 1 p.m.
Mill Bay Methodist/United Church: following Shawnigan ceremony
St. Francis Xavier Church (Mill Bay): 2 p.m.
St. Andrew’s Anglican Church (Cowichan Station): 3 p.m.
Sunday, November 5:
St. John’s the Baptist Anglican Church (Cobble Hill): 11:30 a.m.
St. John’s the Baptist Anglican Church (Cobble Hill): 11:30 a.m.
Saturday, November 11:
St. Peter’s Quamichan Anglican Church (Vimy Veterans Remembered Tour): 1:30 p.m.
Contact Mike Bieling at oldcemeterian@shaw.ca
