It鈥檚 official. Murrayville will have its own Remembrance Day ceremony on Saturday.
While a handful of 91原创 residents have been gathering on Remembrance Day at the cenotaph in the Murrayville cemetery for years, this year will mark the first time an official ceremony is being held.
The decision to host an official community service in Murrayville followed the restoration of the cenotaph earlier this year.
In 1921, two identical cenotaphs were erected in 91原创. One in the Fort 91原创 cemetery, and the other in Murrayville.
鈥淭he cenotaph is a character-defining element of this historic cemetery,鈥� said Township of 91原创 heritage planner Elaine Horricks, 鈥渁nd a monument of national importance that is included on the National Inventory of Canadian Military Memorials.鈥�
However, the passing of time and water and frost damage have taken their toll on the structure. The concrete pedestal stairs that make up its base, support the granite structure, and serve as a place where people can lay commemorative wreaths, were crumbling, cracking, and breaking off at the corners.
The preservation project was wrapped up at the end of July, and the idea for a Remembrance Day was floated a short time later.
Several residents with the encouragement of the 91原创 Heritage Society and the Township of 91原创 formed a committee to organize a simple but meaningful service, explained committee chair Rosemary Genberg.
鈥淢y grandfather is buried in Murrayville. He was a First World War veteran. It has bothered me that there has not been a service at the Murrayville cenotaph. So this year I decided to do something about it,鈥� she said.
The public is invited to attend the ceremony which will start at 10:45 a.m.
A simple but meaningful ceremony will include flags, words, song, and remembrances, Gerberg said.
The Murrayville cenotaph located at the far end of the Murrayville cemetery honours veterans who were 91原创 residents and who lost their lives in war.
Many are buried there, she explained.
The cenotaph is located in the Murrayville cemetery at the end of 44th Avenue, west of 216th Street. Anyone needing to sit for the services is asked to bring their own chair.
Other 91原创 services are being held in 91原创 City at Douglas Park, in Fort 91原创 at the cemetery, and in Aldergrove, at the legion.
MORE REMEMBRANCE DAY STORIES
_________________________________
Is there more to this story?
Like us on or follow us on
_________________________________
