An Ipsos poll conducted earlier this fall suggested that more Canadians were planning to turn out for the 2019 Remembrance Day ceremonies than in many years.
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The reasoning was simple. Even the youngest World War II veterans are now in their 90s, and survey respondents said it was important to honour them while we still can.
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That uptick was evident Monday morning at the Trade and Convention Centre, where all but the back of the room was jammed for the Penticton ceremony. Crowd estimates from three members of the Royal Canadian Legion ranged from 1,500 to 2,000.
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The program began a half hour earlier when veterans, representatives of the military and the RCMP, cadets, and various service groups gathered for the traditional mini-parade from the nearby Penticton Curling Club.
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The temperature was chilly but the mood buoyant as the parade prepped for takeoff.
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An upbeat Bill Bowen, who's currently a Legion service officer and was part of today's Colour Guard, said his involvement with the military began willingly, and early.
Photo Credit: NowMediaBill Bowen
"My whole family was in the military, so I grew up with that. As a kid, I joined the Navy, to see the world. To me, it was a great adventure."
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"That was the story back then. People went for this great adventure. And they couldn’t wait to get there. I remember some guys said that they worried it was going to be over before they got there. It was a neat generation of people."
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Perhaps the most poignant moment of the morning came when Penticton High school student Aashna Sadeque walked to the podium and read aloud the names of Penticton and region folks who lost their lives in the line of duty during World War I and II. The names seemed to go on forever.
Photo Credit: NowMediaAashna Sadeque reads the names
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A smiling Legion president Bob Sudbury later said he was happy with the turnout, and invited everyone to the Legion afterward for refreshments and entertainment. The get-together should continue through the dinner hour.
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Photo Credit: NowMedia
