Key sentence:
- Remembrance Day in Penticton looked slightly different this year, but that didn’t stop hundreds of people from assembling at Veterans Memorial Park.
- Michelle Jenkins, says that attending the ceremony was particularly difficult for her, but she did it in memory of her son.
Due to the pandemic, Remembrance Day in Penticton looked a little different this year, but that didn’t stop hundreds of people from assembling at Veterans Memorial Park.
“We used to hold our events at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, and roughly 2,000 people would usually attend.” But we couldn’t be inside due to COVID,” said Bob Sudbury, chair of the Penticton Legion Branch 40 Poppy Campaign.
“This year, we followed COVID regulation and set aside a taped-off section for VIPs only.” But, unfortunately, we couldn’t stop people from arriving because we were in a public park, and they completely packed the space.”
Also read: The SpaceX crew has arrived at the International Space Station
Michelle Jenkins, a widowed mother, says that attending the ceremony was particularly difficult for her, but she did it in memory of her son.
“I grieved for hours when he eventually told me he had signed up.” I tried to persuade him not to do it, but he insisted that it was his destiny.”
Since her son’s death, Jenkins has placed a wreath in his honour every year.
“He was just 31 years old at the time, and the army was his entire existence. In January of 2016, he passed away. Jenkins stated, “He was based in Maryland and was in Ottawa, to begin with.”
Due to time constraints and the weather, the ceremony was brief, but it did not skimp on crucial traditions.
Before the wreaths were laid, a bugler performed “The Last Post,” and bagpipes echoed around the area.
“I appreciate having the ceremony at a cenotaph like this one because it’s the real thing,” Sudbury remarked.
“Soldiers never stated they didn’t want to fight because it was rainy and freezing outside. We have coats, we are Canadians, and we can make a statement here.”
Source: Global News
Get Canada and Manitoba’s top News, Market news, and other worldwide news only on Manitoba Daily.
