Kelowna Pipe Band marches down Mill Street. (Image credit: KelownaNow)
The commemoration at the memorial in the city park was the most attended in recent times.
Events began with a memorial parade, where veterans were applauded by parishioners standing on the sidelines. Although many were shivering from the cold breeze, the sound that came through the leaves was almost a whisper to the audience during the two minutes of silence.
A BC Dragoons member who stands as part of the memorial’s honor guard. (Image credit: KelownaNow)
The ceremony ensured that the two Canadian soldiers who fell on Canadian soil in October honored Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo. Warrant Officer Vincent was killed in a hit and run on October 20 and Cpl Cirillo was shot dead on duty at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on October 22.
After the wreath-laying ceremony, audience members heard “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” a song that began at the Kelowna ceremony and has since been used in several other memorial services across Canada.
In the end, as every year, many of those who paid their respects left their poppies at the foot of the cenotaph, a powerful reminder of those who fell defending our country.
The wreaths behind the cenotaph guard. (Image credit: KelownaNow)
The first poppies were laid at the city park cenotaph. (Image credit: KelownaNow)
Honor at the Rutland ceremony. (Image credit: KelownaNow)
Guard of honor at the Rutland Cenotaph in Lions Park. (Image credit: KelownaNow)
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