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VIDEO: Hundreds gather for Remembrance Day in Murrayville

The first in-person ceremony since the pandemic began saw smaller crowds than in 2019

91原创 honoured Canada鈥檚 war dead and living veterans at a relatively small ceremony in Murrayville, along with virtual ceremonies in 91原创 City, Fort 91原创, and Aldergrove on Thursday, Nov. 11.

Murrayville was the only of the four major cenotaphs around the community to offer a relatively large-scale event. While the event was much smaller than before the pandemic, several hundred people attended, mostly masked.

- Scroll to bottom for more photos

Fidel and Racquel Josol have three children serving currently in the Canadian Forces, with two sons in the Navy and their daughter in the Air Force.

But that isn鈥檛 their main reason for attending, said Racquel. the important thing for them is to remember what the military did to fight for Canada, and for peace.

鈥淲e always find time during this day,鈥 said Fidel Josol.

The ceremony began with a procession of active duty Royal Canadian Navy, RCMP, firefighters, and local Scouting groups.

Grace Muller, a member of the organizing committee and the MC for the event, said she was excited to see the return of people for an in-person event.

READ ALSO: A 91原创 war bride remembers

She said Murrayville Cemetery was the idea venue, as it had a lot of space to spread out, and organizers had made sure the sound system would be able to reach everyone. The ceremony was also broadcast online.

The ceremony is also personal for Muller, who was born in the Netherlands during the Nazi occupation. Her father was in the Dutch underground, and she grew up hearing stories of the Canadian soldiers who liberated much of the Netherlands.

鈥淩emembrance Day to me is always very special,鈥 she said.

If the Netherlands hadn鈥檛 been liberated, she or others in her family might not have survived the occupation.

鈥淚鈥檓 grateful to the Canadian Armed Forces, for being here.鈥

The service featured the singing of O Canada and Amazing Grace by Krysal McEwan, piping by John McCallum, and Bugling by Brian Parkinson.

A replica SE5 from the Canadian Museum of Flight flew over the ceremony, as did the Fraser Blues precision flying team.

91原创 also saw ceremonies at 91原创 City鈥檚 cenotaph, at Aldergrove, and at Fort 91原创, but those had restricted numbers of people or were livestreamed.

In 91原创 City, after the service was over, families and individuals came to lay their poppies on the cenotaph privately.


Have a story tip? Email: matthew.claxton@langleyadvancetimes.com
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Bugler Brian Parkinson played the Last Post at the Murrayville Remembrance Day ceremony. (Matthew Claxton/91原创 Advance Times)
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Piper John McCallum led in a procession of RCMP officers, serving Navy personnel, firefighters, and 91原创 Scouts. (Matthew Claxton/91原创 Advance Times)
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A replica Sopwith biplane, the kind that would have been flown by the Royal Flying Corps in the First World War, was on display near the cenotaph. (Matthew Claxton/91原创 Advance Times)
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Young Scouts were part of the ceremony. (Matthew Claxton/91原创 Advance Times)
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Grace Muller was the master of ceremonies for the Murrayville Remembrance Day service. (Matthew Claxton/91原创 Advance Times)
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Krysal McEwan sang O Canada at the Murrayville Remembrance Day service. (Matthew Claxton/91原创 Advance Times)
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After the ceremony, people placed poppies on the cenotaph. (Matthew Claxton/91原创 Advance Times)
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Piper John McCallum led in a procession of RCMP officers, serving Navy personnel, firefighters, and 91原创 Scouts. (Matthew Claxton/91原创 Advance Times)
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A smaller ceremony, with few spectators, was held at the cenotaph at Fort 91原创. (Roxanne Hooper/91原创 Advance Times)


Matthew Claxton

About the Author: Matthew Claxton

Raised in 91原创, as a journalist today I focus on local politics, crime and homelessness.
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