Media Release - Stratford's Annual Remembrance Day Service To Be Held Virtually (November 2, 2020)
Posted on 11/02/2020
Image of poppies growing in a field

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, November 2, 2020

The Town of Stratford invites Stratford residents, family, friends, and visitors to honour our veterans at the 15th Annual Stratford Remembrance Day Ceremony on Wednesday, November 11th. This year the ceremony will be held virtually on the Town’s Facebook page.

“The Town of Stratford is proud to honour our veterans, particularly this year which marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War,” stated Mayor Steve Ogden. “Even as we move to a virtual ceremony, we stand strong together to honor the sacrifice of our veterans and those who gave their lives in the service of our community and our country.”

As in past years, residents are encouraged to get to know some of Stratford’s own veterans in the lead up to Remembrance Day. The annual Stratford Heroes display is currently available for viewing in the foyer at Stratford Town Centre until November 13th. Those coming to view the banners are reminded to practice physical distancing and are encouraged to wear a face mask. As part of our efforts to create a meaningful virtual experience this year, the Town of Stratford will be releasing a video of the banners prior to Remembrance Day. Residents are also encouraged to take time to notice the bus shelters around the Town of Stratford which are once again displaying some of our veterans. These are made possible only through the support of the businesses who give up their advertising space to allow our veterans to be featured in bus shelters throughout the Town.

Other remembrance activities for residents to participate in this year include:

  • Stratford Remembers with Peace Poppies – The Town will be distributing paper poppies to our two schools as well as providing copies for pick up at Stratford Town Centre and the Stratford Public Library, or to be printed at home from the Town’s website. Residents are encouraged to colour, draw or write in their poppy what peace means to them and display in their window as a show of respect and remembrance. 
  • Painted Rocks for Remembrance Day – Residents are also being encouraged to paint poppies on rocks as an act of remembrance. These can be left at the cenotaph, randomly around the community or simply at individual residences.
  • Other material and content will be shared on the Town’s social media accounts in the days leading up to Remembrance Day.

“We look forward to a time when we can to return to our formal Remembrance Day ceremony, but this year we can still do our part as individuals,” added Mayor Ogden.

“This can be as simple as observing two minutes of silence at 11:00am on November 11th to reflect, give thanks and remember, it can be attending a virtual ceremony, or participating in one of our other suggested activities.” 

Mayor Ogden will provide a live message at approximately 10:35am on November 11th, followed by a virtual ceremony broadcast of the 2018 Remembrance Day service held at the Town of Stratford’s cenotaph on the Town’s Facebook page. Residents, businesses and organizations who wish to lay a wreath may do so at the cenotaph in the days leading up to, or on, November 11th, while remembering to practice physical distancing including allowing those previously at the cenotaph to move aside before approaching.

The virtual broadcast can be found on the Town’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/townofstratford

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For more information please contact:

Wendy Watts, Community & Business Engagement Manager
P: (902) 569-1995
E: [email protected]
W: www.townofstratford.ca


Stratford Remembers with Peace Poppies
Every year in Canada on the 11th month, November, on the 11th hour, 11:00 am, we pause to remember all those who died in all wars and to show gratitude for the peaceful country we love.

Poppies are one of the biggest symbols of remembrance in Canada so let us show our gratitude for peace by drawing, colouring, or writing in these poppies what we are most grateful for because of the peaceful country we have. What are you most thankful for?
Be sure to display your poppies in your window to remind everyone how wonderful peace is.

Download and print your own copy, or pick up a copy at Stratford Town Centre or Stratford Public Library. 
tos_poppy_11x17v.pdf
tos_poppy_8x11v.pdf

For more history about the Remembrance Day Poppy go to:  https://www.legion.ca/remembrance/the-poppy/history-of-the-poppy

How to wear a Poppy for Remembrance Day:https://www.legion.ca/remembrance/the-poppy/how-to-wear-a-poppy

"In Flanders Fields” -https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/in-flanders-fields