Vaughan honours those who fought for our freedom
Every November, the City of Vaughan hosts a Remembrance event to commemorate the brave Canadians who risked – and, in many cases, lost – their lives during war. This year’s commemoration will take place online today at 10 a.m. at vaughan.ca/live.
The event will include a cadet honour guard, a performance of the Last Post, a reading of In Flanders Fields and a member of the Woodbridge Air Cadets speaking about what Remembrance means to them, as well as other performances.
The ceremony will be accompanied by a City-led virtual exhibit, The Battle from Above, which features heroic pilots from Vaughan who fought in the World Wars and were members of the Canadian Air Force, later called the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Through exploring rare documents, artifacts and photographs preserved by the City, The Battle from Above exhibit honours the experiences of Vaughan pilots and auxiliary staff, such as John Thompson and Ed Price, and details the evolution of topics such as the Royal Canadian Air Force, pilot training and the air force’s Women’s Division. The exhibit also illustrates the development of aircraft and the dangers pilots faced daily, many of whom had a life expectancy of several weeks at the beginning of the First World War.
Thoughts of remembrance
You are invited to share thoughts of remembrance and messages of peace on the City’s virtual Poppy Wall. You can tell stories, thank and continue to honour the individuals who risked or lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars.
The City’s annual Remembrance event reflects the City’s commitment to fostering active, safe and diverse communities that are inclusive, enhance community well-being and promote respect for the City’s heritage, arts and culture, as outlined in the 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan.
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