Saint John hosted a Remembrance Day ceremony at King's Square. (photo by Tamara Steele)
There is disappointment again this year that Saint John can’t observe Remembrance Day in the way it usually does.
Bernard Cormier of the Remembrance Day Committee said they tried to hold off on making decisions hoping things would improve.
With the Saint John area considered a “hot zone” and under circuit breaker restrictions, organizers felt a smaller event outside was the best way to go.
That means there will not be the usual ceremony at TD Station, and a planned roll pass has been cancelled.
Cormier fears the full TD Station ceremony may lose traction with the public.
“We always had a 100-voice choir and during COVID, choirs have had a difficult time. They can’t really sing and practice together because COVID hasn’t allowed that,” Cormier said.
“I feel that we are losing the momentum that we used to have. We had a well-oiled machine. When we are able to return to TD Station, to me, it’s going to be like we are starting all over again. From scratch. We’ve lost a lot of key people as well due to health reasons. We lost some valuable committee members. We haven’t been able to meet with military officials because of COVID.”
A ceremony will be held on Thursday at the King’s Square Cenotaph, which the public can attend following COVID protocols.
At 2 p.m., there will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the New Brunswick Naval Memorial at Fort La Tour on Harbour Passage.
Saint John Remembrance Day Services. For details, visit https://t.co/dp8XaHzr3C
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Services du jour du Souvenir de Saint John pic.twitter.com/aZ4wACzs4L— City of Saint John (@cityofsaintjohn) November 8, 2021
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