** UPDATED – CORRECTED INFORMATION RE CENTRAL MEMORIAL PARK**
** UPDATED – ADDED EVENT AT BURNSLAND CEMETERY**
November 11 holds special significance for me, as indeed it does for many. I will be highlighting some stories this week giving respect to the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, and especially to those who lost their lives in service of their country.
To begin, here is a review of the various ceremonies taking place in Calgary on November 11.
Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Jubilee Auditorium
Date: November 11
Time: 10:00 am
Details: The annual ceremonies presided over by the Mayor of Calgary and other dignitaries begins at 10:35 am. You are asked to arrive by 10:00 am. The auditorium fills up, and you are encouraged to arrive early to get a seat. I recommend arriving by 9:30 am, or even earlier if you can. If I remember correctly, the outer doors open at 9:00 am. Following the service, dignitaries travel to Central Memorial Park for a wreath-laying at 12:15 pm.
Location: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Avenue NW
Central Memorial Park Remembrance Day Services
Date: November 11
Time: 10:30 am
Details: This is the location of the service that I prefer to attend. There’s something special about gathering outdoors near the Cenotaph, especially on those Remembrance Days when it is bitterly cold. Participants are asked to arrive by 10:30 a.m. for a 10:45 a.m. start. The ceremony is usually quite brief, however most people stay for the hour-or-so until the dignitaries who were at the Jubilee Auditorium ceremony arrive for additional laying of wreaths at 12:15 pm. [Update] There is now a formal ceremony in the morning and laying of the wreaths continues immediately following. There is no longer a pause between the two minutes of silence and the remainder of the ceremony. Thanks to James for bringing this to my attention in the comments, and Cpl. Dorosh of the Calgary Highlanders for explaining the changes to me.
Location: Central Memorial Park, 12th Avenue and 4th Street SW
The Military Museums’ Remembrance Day Service
Date: November 11
Time: 10:00 am
Details: I’m told that the services at The Military Museums are the largest in the city. Parking is available. Attendees are asked to bring generous food and monetary donations for collection for The Veterans’ Food Bank and The Military Families Fund. The ceremony begins at 10:45 am.
Location: The Miliary Museums, 4520 Crowchild Trail SW
783 (Calgary) Wing Air Force Association Remembrance Day Service
Date: November 11
Time: 10:30 am
Details: I have never attended services at Mewata Armory, but I presume it is inside and makes for a good location for attendees with young children and for the elderly when the weather is especially cold.
Location: Mewata Armoury, 801 11 Street SW
Remembrance Day Ceremony at Aero Space Museum of Calgary
Date: November 11
Time: 10:30 am
Details: This is a family-oriented ceremony that will last approximately half an hour. There is no charge for admission to the museum (usual charge is $10 for adults, less for seniors, youths, children, and there are family passes as well). Attendees are invited to stay to tour the museum at no charge until noon. Donations will be accepted for The Poppy Fund.
Location: Aero Space Museum of Calgary, 4629 McCall Way NE
ADDED – Burnsland Cemetery
Date: November 11
Time: 10:30
Details: I have confirmed that there is a military ceremony at Burnsland Cemetary, likely near the military Field of Honour. I’m told by the division of the City of Calgary that deals with cemeteries (who does not conduct the service, a military regiment does) that they are expecting a military march-in and a military band to play. As with others, you’re well advised to get there early.
Location: Burnsland Cemetery, 27th Avenue and Spiller Road SE
Union Cemetery Tour
Date: November 11
Time: 2:00 pm
Details: The 2011 Remembrance Day cemetery tour will be held at the Union Cemetery on November 11 from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. The tour will focus on the contribution of Calgary regiments to the great battles of the Boer War, World War I and World War II. No tour as the same, as each volunteer guide has their favorite stories to share. I attended this last year and found it a tremendous way to learn the stories of some of those who gave their lives for Canada and the principles for which it stands.
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Wish to add the service at Calgary International Airport. Complete with colour guards and representatives from air cadets, scouting, fire/police departments etc forming a parade which tours through the departures deck, ending in a brief ceremony. Starts about 10:45
For those in the DT Core, don’t forget:
Canadian Pacific’s Remembrance Day Ceremony
Date: November 11
Time: 10:40am
Details: Over 33,000 CP employees served in the last century’s two world wars. The tradition of service continues, with 44 Canadian and American employees currently listed as reservists. These brave men and women will be honored at CP’s Remembrance Day ceremony. The event is free to all, includes speeches from employees currently serving and wreath laying, and is the only ceremony in Calgary to honour the completion of the two minutes of silence with a blast from a train whistle.
Location: Next to the steam locomotive at Gulf Canada Square, 401 9th Ave SW – http://www.google.com/maps?q=401+9th+ave+sw,+calgary,+ab&hl=en&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=55.192325,134.912109&vpsrc=0&hnear=401+9+Ave+SW,+Calgary,+Alberta+T2P+3C5,+Canada&t=m&z=16
[...] chose CMP today but if you can’t make the ceremonies on Friday @MisterYYC has a great list of events…..Special mentions go out to Erin Stanford (@sexyinyyc) for guessing correctly at 11:05 this [...]
A couple of corrections to your information, I could be wrong but I was told that it was the Legion who used to run the Cenotaph ceremony, but stopped doing it as of last year when the Royal Highlands took over for the 2010 ceremony there… I know because I went to the Burns Cemetery ceremony at 11:00 last year, then planning to be at Memorial for 12 noon for that one, only to discover nothing happening at all…
And on that note, there is a very nice ceremony at the Burns Cemetery at 11:00, I believe run by the Engineer Corps, the numbers are smaller but the setting of the military graves is very poignant…
Thanks for that info James. I’ll see if I can get some information tomorrow and update as necessary.
An additional event to pass on…
Mr. Rayz, a Calgary children’s musician will be hosting a Remembrance Day event at Trico Homes for Family Wellness, 11150 Bonaventure Dr SE.
Pass on to the next gen the story and song about our peace and honoring those who helped us (my “unknown soldier” song) and then some real celebrating and dancing to revel in our freedom with our kidz. This is a ticketed event, $8 per child, parents and babies under age 1 are free.
More info: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=195441990532888
Just a clarification to the above response – The Calgary Highlanders are the unit that now conduct services at the cenotaph at Central Memorial Park. While the regiment does wear the Government Tartan, they should not be confused with The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) or affiliated units, who also wear the Government Tartan. I would mildly object to the use of the phrase “took over”, as it implies an acrimonious relationship to the various stakeholders. I’m not an official spokesperson, but if you recall the newspaper accounts last year, The Calgary Highlanders were very pleased to work hand in hand with the City of Calgary and our new mayor on issues regarding use of the park and nearby roadway for the service and it was made clear there was a high level of cooperation between these entities. There will be several organizations represented at the service, laying wreaths or making official remarks, including the government of Canada, the province, the City, and if memory services, the RCL. Like any Remembrance ceremony, if one wants to attend (and attendance has been gratifyingly good since the Highlanders started presenting there), time your arrival well in advance of 11:00am.
Thanks Mr. YYC for including this in your blog, and the kind words regarding the service.
“James” mentions a ceremony at the “Burns Cemetery” on the 11th. Would this be the Burnsland Cemetary, next to Union Cemetary? Thanks for all of the information.
Thank you for your comments Cpl. Dorosh. They’re greatly appreciated.
Chad, “Burns Cemetery” would indeed be Burnsland Cemetery. I have contacted the City and confirmed that there is a ceremony at Burnsland Cemetery at 11:00 am. I’ve inquired but not yet received information on what organization(s) are involved in conducting the service.
There is also a smaller scale ceremony at the Kerby Centre, 1133 – 7 Ave. SW starting at 10:20 a.m. This is mostly attended by seniors but families and others are more than welcome. Parking is available across 7th Avenue and people should plan on coming around 10:00 a.m.
Hi Michael,
Sorry for the misinterpretation of my words, I didn’t mean any disrespect with what I wrote and choice of words regarding the Memorial Park ceremony… Anyway, that is the one I plan to attend, went to Burnsland Cemetery ceremony last year…
[...] Remembrance Day events happening around Calgary today. You can find the full list of events here.As well he asked Matt Petrie to share some Special Places of Remembrance in Calgary [...]