Port Coquitlam, B.C. – Nov. 3, 2020… The City of Port Coquitlam is encouraging residents to honour war veterans safely from their homes and businesses this Remembrance Day, in order to keep veterans and the community safe.

To help slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Port Coquitlam Royal Canadian Legion Branch 133 will not hold its annual Remembrance Day service or parade, which usually draws crowds in downtown Port Coquitlam each Nov. 11.

The city is asking residents to recognize and remember the sacrifices of veterans in other ways this year, and to not gather for the small, private invitation-only wreath-laying service to be held at the Legion cenotaph to honour war veterans.

“While it’s been challenging to find a way to honour veterans, we have worked with the city, health authorities and the RCMP to come up with a private service for veterans that is safe, dignified and respectful,” said Drew Lydiard, President Royal Canadian Legion Branch 133. “Our first concern is keeping our veterans and community safe, and this Remembrance Day will certainly be one to remember.”

The city is supporting the Legion and encouraging residents to safely honour veterans by:

• Wearing a poppy, available at City Hall as of Nov. 2 for a donation supporting Legion Branch 133.
• Cutting out and displaying the poppy that will run in the Nov. 5 issue of the Tri-City News in a joint ad by the cities of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. The poster can also be downloaded at www.portcoquitlam.ca/remember. Space is provided for a personal message. The hope is to have poppies displayed in the windows of homes and businesses across the Tri-Cities.

“While we are not be able to physically gather on Remembrance Day, we still have a responsibility to remember and pay tribute to those who have served our country,” said Mayor Brad West. “Wear a poppy and display a poppy in your window to show respect for those who sacrificed so that we may live in a free and democratic society, and for those who continue to serve our country. This year is particularly important as we commemorate the 75^th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. We will always remember.”

For the first time, the Royal Canadian Legion is giving the public the opportunity to purchase a wreath that will be placed at the cenotaph by Legion members. Wreaths can be ordered online at www.pocolegion.ca. All proceeds will go towards the Legion Poppy Fund in support of Canada’s veterans and their families.

“The wreaths will act as a visual symbol that Port Coquitlam residents are honouring and remembering veterans for their countless sacrifices,” said Wes von Papineäu, Sergeant at Arms for Royal Canadian Legion 133. “We encourage people to also wear a poppy to show their respect.”

On Nov. 11, residents are also encouraged to watch the national Remembrance Day service on television or streamed on Facebook Live, and remember veterans with two minutes of silence.

Residents may place a poppy on the cenotaph at Veterans Park but are being advised to give veterans priority, maintain physical distance, wear a mask and stay home if sick.

For more information, to download a poppy poster and to read City Council’s 2020 Remembrance Day message, visit www.portcoquitlam.ca/remember.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Pardeep Purewal
Manager of Communications & Admin Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5335 Cel 604.218.0533
Email purewalp@portcoquitlam.ca