Calgary Remembrance Day Events 2012

Here is a review of the ceremonies taking place in Calgary in respect of Remembrance Day. November 11, 2012 is a Sunday this year. I know that not everyone gets Remembrance Day off of work, but hopefully due it it falling on a weekend, even more than usual will make it out to pay their respects. Lest we forget.

This is likely to be the final list for 2012. Some details may be added for Mewata Armoury if they become available.

Courtesy of flickr user James Tworow

Central Memorial Park Remembrance Day Service

Date: November 11
Time: 10:30 am

Details: This is the location of the service that I prefer to attend. Commemorating Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph is very much tradition for me and for many. With all of us standing on the same ground and paying respect, it feels very real, and very personal. Because it is in the central part of the city, it is very accessible by transit. The service is outside, so dress warmly. This service is hosted by The Calgary Highlanders.

Location: Central Memorial Park, 12th Avenue and 4th Street SW

The Military Museums’ Remembrance Day Service

Date: November 11
Time: 10:00 am

Details: This service is typically the largest in the city. Limited parking is available on site to the field to the east of Parade Square. Parking is also available at the Flames Community Arena to the south. The ceremony begins at 10:45 am, but arrive early. The service is outside, so dress warmly. View the Remembrance Day brochure (PDF).

Location: The Miliary Museums, 4520 Crowchild Trail SW

Battalion Park Service

Date: November 11
Time: 10:40 am

Details: This is a new service for 2012. You may know Battalion Park as the giant white numbers on the side of Signal Hill. Alderman Richard Pootmans along with the King’s Own Calgary Regiment and the Royal Alberta United Services Institute will be hosting this service. This is a special and historically significant site, and I’m sure this will be excellent. It will be outside, so dress warmly.

Location: Battalion Park, 3001 Signal Hill Drive SW

Aero Space Museum of Calgary Service

Date: November 11
Time: 10:30 am

Details: This is a family-oriented ceremony that will last approximately half an hour. The service will be held outdoors in 2012, so please dress warmly. There will be limited handicap parking on site; there will be limited parking available at Calgary Marble and Tile across the street. Donations will be accepted for The Poppy Fund. Admission to the museum after the service will be by donation to the museum’s connection and restoration fund.

Location: Aero Space Museum of Calgary, 4629 McCall Way NE

Calgary International Airport

Date: November 11
Time: 10:30 am

Details: Intended primarily for airport employees and travelers, this service commences at 10:30 am with the Calgary International Airport Pipe Band and Honour Guard parade. The service commences at 10:40 am.

Location: Calgary International Airport

Jubilee Auditorium Service

Date: November 11
Time: 8:30 am

Details: A perennial favourite, this service is heavily attended by representatives of various levels of government and veterans associations. This is a preferred location for those who are not inclined to be outside because of weather, or need special seating arrangements because of age or other such condition. Building doors open at 8:30 am and the auditorium doors open at 9:15 am, with the service beginning at 10:30. There will be musical performances from the HMCS TECUMSEH Band, Westwinds Music Society Womens’ Choir, and the Mount Royal Youth Orchestra. This event is hosted by HMSC TECUMSEH and the Calgary United Veterans Association.

Location: Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, 1415 14 Avenue NW

Canadian Pacific Remembrance Day Ceremony

Date: November 11
Time: 10:40 am

Details:Over 33,000 CP employees served in the two world wars. The tradition of service continues, with Canadian and American employees currently listed as reservists. These brave men and women will be honoured at CP’s Remembrance Day ceremony. The event is free to all, and follows the traditional ceremony order, including wreath laying. It is the only ceremony which marks the completion of the two minutes of silence with a blast from a train whistle.

Location: Gulf Canada Square, 401 9 Avenue SW

Burnsland Cemetery Service

Date: November 11
Time: 10:30 am

Details:33 Field Engineer Squadron conducts this service at the Cenotaph at Burnsland Cemetery. I’ve never attended, but I’m advised that there will be a march up to the Cenotaph, likely around 10:45 am. There will be the typical words spoken in honour of Remembrance Day, laying of wreaths, and march off. I’m told that this is a very low-key service as compared to the bigger events. If you are wanting something quieter, this may just work for you. It is outside, of course, so dress warmly.

Location:Burnsland Cemetery, 27 Avenue and Spiller Road SE

Mewata Armoury ** see notes below

Date: November 11
Time: Undetermined – Probably 10:00 or 10:30

Details:783 (Calgary) Wing has normally done something at Mewata each year. I have been able to get some second-hand info that there is still something on at Mewata Armoury this year, but unable to talk to anyone who can give me details as to who/what/when. Given that it is probably indoors, this is likely an excellent option for those who are in wheelchairs, etc. I would suggest arrive early (9:30?), and be prepared to wait. I am still trying to get details, so will update if any info comes available.

Location:Mewata Armoury, 801 11 Street SW

Queen’s Park Cemetery

Date: Friday, November 9
Time: 11:00 am

Details:This is a very interesting (and very last-minute) add. A Howitzer that was in the Queen’s Park Cemetery Field of Honour has recently been refurbished and returned to Queen’s Park. At 11:00 am on Friday, November 9, Juno Beach Academy and The City of Calgary will be hosting a Remembrance Day ceremony (a couple of days early). Read more about the refurb of the Howitzer on the Calgary City News Blog.

Location:Queen’s Park Cemetery, 3219 4 Street NW

Field of Crosses Memorial Project Service

Date: November 11
Time: 11:00 am

Details: No formal ceremony will take place, but two minutes of silence will be observed at 11:00 am. During the days leading up to Remembrance Day, there will be a daily ceremonial flag raising at sunrise and flag lowering at sunset. Morning flag raising will include a bugler and a piper, along with special guests.

Location: Sunnyside Bank Park, Memorial Drive between Centre Street and 3 Street NW

Union Cemetery Tour

Date: November 11
Time: 1:00 pm

Details: The 2012 Remembrance Day cemetery tour will be held at the Union Cemetery on November 11 from 1:00 – 3:00 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 favourite stories to share. I attended in 2010 and found it an excellent opportunity to learn the stories of some of those who gave their lives for Canada and the principles for which our nation stands.

Location: Union Cemetery, 28th Avenue and Spiller Road SE

In addition to the above services on Remembrance Day, there are a couple of events prior to that I would deem to be related and worthy of mention.

On Wednesday, November 7, ProArts Society will present a Remembrance concert and ceremony. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Choir and Foothills Brass perform a concert titled “In Remembrance“.  The concert features music for choir, brass, and organ. The concert runs from noon until 1:00 pm at Cathedral Church of the Redeemer at 218 7 Avenue SE. Thank you to Deidre for pointing this one out.

On Thursday, November 8, there will be a presentation at the Southwood branch of the Calgary Public Library entitled, “Love and Duty: Canadian Red Cross Women in WWII”. Watch an inspiring tale of the 641 women who traveled overseas to serve with the Canadian Red Cross in World War II. A short presentation will follow the film. Presented by The Canadian Red Cross. This program repeats again on November 12 at the Louise Riley branch, and again on November 14 at the Fish Creek branch.

On Friday, November 9, The Plaza Theatre will be showing the film, Passchendaele. This Canadian-produced film tells the heroic story of a Canadian solider in WWI and features Paul Gross. Show time is 7:00 pm. Tickets are $15 and are available online.

On Saturday, November 10, the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra will perform “Afghanistan: Requiem for a Generation”. In commemoration of the end of Canada’s combat mission in Afghanistan, the CPO has embarked on the largest commission in its history – a Requiem written to capture the profound loss, heartbreak and hope experienced in the struggle for peace. This distinctly Canadian event incorporates war art with historical and contemporary military imagery and serves as a monument to the sacrifices made by our Canadian servicemen and women.