Remembrance Day ceremony held at Nelson Cenotaph
By The Nelson Daily Staff
At the 11th hour, of the 11th day of of the 11th month of 2022 at the Cenotaph outside City Hall, the people of Nelson joined fellow Canadians from across Canada to remember those Canadian soldiers who ensured freedom while helping to build this great county.
After two years of closed service due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a large crowd gathered at the Nelson Cenotaph to welcome veterans, first responders, including police, fire and ambulance, and local dignitaries at the 2022 Nelson Legion Remembrance Day Ceremony.
Local officials, including newly elected Nelson Mayor Janice Morrison, Nelson-Creston MLA Brittny Anderson, Tanya Finley, representing Kootenay Columbia MP Rob Morrison.
The ceremony began with the Parade through downtown Nelson from the Nelson Legion to the Cenotaph.
The ceremony was again Live Streamed on the Nelson Legion Branch 51 and The Nelson Daily Facebook pages.
Emceed by Doug Wood of the Nelson Legion Branch 51, the Parade was led by the Kootenay Kiltie Pipe Band.
The Parade to the Cenotaph, led by the Kootenay Kiltie Pipe Band, returned following a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ceremony started with L.V. Rogers music teacher Justin Ratzburg playing Last Post before the singing of the Canadian National Anthem, led by former Nelson Mayor John Dooley.
Two minutes of silence was observed to focus on the veteran’s honour guard during a flyover by the Nelson Pilots Association.
Nelson Legion Branch 51 President Bill Haire read the Act of Remembrance before Salvation Army Branch Padre, Anthony DaSilva recited a prayer honouring veterans.
Ian Christnerthen recited In Flanders Fields.
An emotional MLA Brittny Anderson spoke of friends currently locked in the Russian assault on Ukraine and protests in Iranian by women that started with the death of Mahsa Amini after the 22-year-old was taken into custody by the morality police in Tehran.
Mayor Janice Morrison took to the stage to honor and pay respect to the hundreds of Nelson citizens who took up the cause to fight for freedom.
The ceremony was Livestreamed on the Nelson Legion and The Nelson Daily Facebook pages.
Legion Branch 51 President Bill Haire then placed a wreath among the many donated wreaths that were placed at the Cenotaph prior to the start of the ceremony.
In one of his last duties at Premier, John Horgan remembers the fallen and the loss of the grandparents, parents, spouses and children left behind.
Horgan said at local cenotaphs across the province, British Columbians continue to recognize veterans, armed forces members and merchant mariners who have served Canada so courageously.
Nelson Community Band member Justin Ratzburg saluted veterans with the playing of Last Post.
Prior to the beginning of the ceremony, veterans shared greetings.
