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The act of remembering the sacrifice of those who put their lives on the line for our country is ultimately a solitary act. And this year, members of our Royal Canadian Legion in Kelowna had plenty of solitude. They gathered two days in advance to pre-record a Remembrance Day event. It's the best way they could come up with to mark the occasion during a pandemic.
With a crisp wind blowing off the lake, half a dozen members of Branch 26 looked cold and lonely as they went through their paces at the cenotaph. They paid their respects without the crowds that would normally surround them. Instead, a camera crew was there to record the event.
A proper Remembrance Day is central to the Legion's mission.
"The Legion is there for those who went to serve their country," said Branch President John Sokolowski. For him and others in his organization, it is a solemn duty to honour those who have sacrificed so much. "Some came back, but not the same," he pointed out. "And those that did not come back."
Unable to gather the community as they usually would, the group has had to embrace the idea of a pre-recorded ceremony.
"Because it's very important for us to have it," stated Sokolowski.
"Certainly we would like to have it on Remembrance Day itself, but because of COVID we are not allowed to do that but we certainly will continue on remembering those who have fallen and we need to have that service for them."
He admits it's not the same, but it makes for a ceremony that will likely stand out in their memories for years to come.
"Well it's a little bit different," said Sokolowski, "But the fact that we're still remembering is important for not only us at the Legion but the community. We're living in interesting times and it is what it is."
The ceremony can be viewed here, starting at 10:55 am Wednesday.
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