West Vancouver’s Remembrance Day Traditions
On November 11, the people of West Vancouver gather at Memorial Park. We come together in a time of peace to remember, to mourn and to recognize those who gave their lives in times of war.
The Royal Canadian Legion (West Vancouver Branch 60) conducts other annual ceremonies in November to remember the fallen.
Every year prior to November 11 white crosses – 1310 this year – are placed on the graves of Veterans at Capilano View cemetery, this year by students from West Vancouver Secondary and Collingwood schools. The crosses are made by students at the high school woodworking shop. Legion members painted the crosses and added the poppies.
Every year, on the Sunday before November 11, the Legion conducts a Service of Remembrance with a Colour Guard and Piper to honour the fallen and the Veterans who served and who rest at Capilano View.
This year, a new tradition began. On the day of the Remembrance Service, the first of 22 headstones was placed on the unmarked grave of a Veteran interred at the cemetery.
Our local branch of the Legion is participating in the Unmarked Grave Program, supported by the Last Post Fund at Veterans Affairs. The program serves Veterans whose graves are without a permanent headstone or foot marker, and who have not previously received funeral and burial funding.
For details about the program and about our Legion, please get in touch with Pat Morton, a past president of the West Vancouver Legion at 604.922.3587.