The sight of hundreds of people lining the streets around Nanaimo’s downtown cenotaph on Remembrance Day (Nov. 11) fills Bill Brayshaw with a sense of pride.

President of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10, Brayshaw said the crowd, especially the number of children attending, is an eye opener.

“Every year [Remembrance Day] is important enough for these people to come down here and pay respect,” he said. “And that is important, because year after year, we are losing more of our Second World War veterans.”

Brayshaw said Branch 10 has three veterans in their 90s who still attend the Nov. 11 ceremony.

“One fellow was in the merchant navy and he desperately wants to lay a wreath at the cenotaph,” he said. “It may take two or three of us to get him up there, but he will lay a wreath.”

Branch 10, along with Royal Canadian Legion Mount Benson Branch 256 and members of the American Legion from Bremerton, Wash. gather on Church Street with the Canadian and U.S. national anthems sung at 10:50 a.m. and Archdeacon Brian Evans leading the crowd in a prayer of remembrance.

A gun salute takes place at 11 a.m., followed by the playing of the Last Post and then two minutes of silence, honouring those who died in war.

The placing of the wreaths then takes place, followed by the benediction and blessing, the playing of God Save The Queen and the march past and salute.

Branch 10 Legion is also holding a graveside service at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens, 2347 Cedar Rd. at 1 p.m.

Parade participants for the Remembrance Day ceremony at Royal Canadian Legion Seaview Branch 257 in Lantzville will marshal along Lantzville Road near Slegg Lumber at 10:30 a.m.

The parade, with honour guard, will proceed along Lantzville Road to the cenotaph for the 11 a.m. ceremony that includes prayers and laying of wreaths by military, emergency service, business and community organizations.

Following the ceremony, veterans, parade participants and the public are invited to the legion for hot soup and beverages.

For those under 19, hotdogs and drinks will be available in Costin Hall, across Lantzville Road.

Afternoon entertainment includes music both upstairs and down at the legion beginning at 2 p.m., a pipe band and a roast beef dinner at 4:30 p.m.

The public is invited to Legion 10 (129 Harewood Rd) and Legion 256 (1630 East Wellington Rd.) following the cenotaph ceremony.

Legion 10 is offering chili, chowder and sandwiches from noon to 3 p.m. and entertainment from 3-11 p.m.

Legion 256 is hosting breakfast in its hall from 7-9 a.m., beef sandwiches from noon to 1:30 p.m., hamburgers starting at 5 p.m. and entertainment in the hall and lounge from 2-7 p.m.

news@nanaimobulletin.com