Like everything else during the COVID-19 pandemic, Remembrance Day ceremonies will look different this year, including the one in Kamloops.

Legion Past President Craig Thomson says they will host a small contingent of veterans in a private ceremony – ‘By Veterans, For Veterans’ – at the Battle Street Cenotaph, instead of a large ceremony at Riverside Park as is the norm.

“The ceremony itself will be very similar to other years, it just that crowds of people will not be there as the public. We won’t have a parade,” he said on NL Newsday, noting the event will be limited to a maximum of 50 people. “The veterans will be invited and its going to be a ceremony specifically for veterans.”

Thomson is asking people to avoid gathering along the streets near the cenotaph saying the ceremony itself will be live-streamed on the Kamloops Legion’s facebook page.

“We are asking the public to stay home this year, stay warmer than you might on some Remembrance Days and let the veterans have their ceremony,” he said.

Due to COVID-19, there will not be a fly-by from the 419 Squadron out of Cold Lake this year. There won’t also be a large gathering of military, police, and first responders as well, and there won’t be a wreath laying ceremony by the public as well.

Instead local VIP’s will be invited to lay wreaths representing the Federal and Provincial governments, the city of Kamloops, ANAVETS, the Royal Canadian Legion, the Rocky Mountain Rangers, and the RCMP.

“If you’ve ever seen the numbers at Riverside Park on November 11, you’ll see how this community supports Remembrance Day and their veterans. “Hopefully its a one-time event this year,” Thomson said. “We’re disappointed, but we are going to concentrate strictly this year on the veterans.”

(Photo via Royal Canadian Legion Kamloops)