Remembrance Day ceremonies expected to draw thousands in Nova Scotia

Today, people from all over Nova Scotia will come together to participate in Remembrance Day ceremonies to honor and remember those who have served our country. One of the main events, the ceremony at Grand Parade in Halifax, will be livestreamed by CBC starting just before 11 a.m.

This year’s ceremony holds special significance as it marks a return to downtown Halifax. In 2023, the event had to be relocated to Sullivans Pond in Dartmouth due to Grand Parade being designated as an encampment site during the city’s housing crisis. The site was closed to tents last winter, prompting the move.

During the ceremony, Mi’kmaw Elder Marlene Companion will perform a smudging ceremony, a first for the Remembrance Day event at Grand Parade. This traditional Indigenous practice is a meaningful addition to the event, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and diversity in commemorating our veterans.

One of the key moments of the ceremony will be when Jean Noel lays a wreath in memory of her brother, Master Cpl. Kirk Bradley Noel, who is this year’s Memorial Cross recipient. Kirk served in the navy before transitioning to become a search and rescue technician. Tragically, he lost his life in 2006 during a training exercise when a Cormorant helicopter crashed off Canso, N.S.

For those who are unable to attend the ceremony in Halifax, the Royal Canadian Legion has provided a list of Remembrance Day ceremonies taking place across the province. There are nine ceremonies scheduled in the Halifax Regional Municipality, eight in Cape Breton, and over a dozen in various communities on the mainland. This allows people to find a gathering closest to them and pay their respects to those who have sacrificed for our freedom.

As we come together to remember and honor our veterans, let us not only reflect on their bravery and sacrifice but also commit to ensuring that their legacy lives on in our actions and deeds. Lest we forget.