THUNDER BAY — For the first time since 2019, a Remembrance Day ceremony will be held indoors at the Fort William Gardens.
For the last two years, the city's south-side service was held outdoors at City Hall due to the pandemic.
Local arrangements chairperson Ken Milenko said returning to an indoor event is momentous for the Royal Canadian Legion, which organizes the event, and for the volunteers who help.
"I can't tell you how exciting that is. The two-year hiatus has been pretty tough. It's very rewarding to be back inside the Gardens," he said.
The indoor ceremony traditionally draws several thousand participants.
"That's why I'm reaching out right now to invite the public. We want everybody to know that we're back in business ... the public, schools, businesses, you name it, are more than welcome to attend, and we look forward to seeing everybody," Milenko said.
He expects people will appreciate not having to stand outside in the cold this year.
"The other thing is our veterans. We're losing a bunch of them. These poor old guys don't need to stand outside anymore. So that's the most significant benefit of being inside."
Milenko said organizers are grateful to the City of Thunder Bay for making the Gardens available.
He noted that wearing a face mask is no longer mandatory, but anyone who chooses that option is welcome to do so.
Individuals interested in volunteering at the event are invited to reach out to him.
Remembrance Day will also be marked at the Waverley Park cenotaph and on Mount McKay, and at the Slovak Legion where an indoor service will be held.
