Each year, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, Canadians gather to observe a moment of silence to mark the sacrifice of so many.
Hundreds are expected to take in the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph in Cloverdale, an event that seems to grow each year.
Veterans, RCMP and emergency service personnel, along with about one dozen air and army cadet corps, plus local Guides and Scouts will be taking part in the service and ceremony Nov. 11.
The program begins at 10 a.m., when the parade forms at the Cloverdale Legion at 17567 57 Avenue.
Colour parties from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 6 and Ladies Auxiliary will lead the parade from Branch 6 to Surrey Museum Plaza (next to the Surrey Archives and Surrey Museum) starting at 10:35 a.m.
The parade will include Sgt.-At-Arms Cmde. Barry Zuk, Parade Marshall and Zone Commander Dale Johnston, and Master of Ceremonies Cmde. Glenn Thomsen.
The service will feature the Cloverdale United Church Choir, and the RCMP ‘E’ Division Pipe Band, along with prayers led by Branch 6 padre, Ian Wemyss.
There will also be a flypast of Harvard Canadian Warbirds in formation in Second World War aircraft.
After the playing of the Last Post, there will be two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. to remember the sacrifices of Canada’s fallen servicemen and servicewomen, followed by the laying of wreaths in remembrance at the Cenotaph.
The Colour Parties will lead the parade back to Branch 6, where members and guests will gather for refreshments and entertainment. It’s one of Cloverdale’s warmest community traditions. This year, there will be entertainment featuring Susie Francis and the Versatiles from 1-3 p.m.
Other Remembrance Day services include:
• Service and flypast at the Port Kells Cenotaph 18918 88 Ave., Surrey, starting at 10:30 a.m.
• Surrey Whalley Remembrance Day, Whalley Legion, Branch 229, 13525 106 Ave., starting at 10 a.m., with a march to the Cenotaph starting at 10:25 a.m. The Branch will be open following the service for members and guests.