Remembrance Day commemorations around the Sea to Sky region are taking shape for Sunday, Nov. 11.
The Whistler Service of Remembrance begins at 10:45 a.m. with a Veteran's Parade along Village Gate Boulevard to the Whistler Cenotaph at Fire Hall #1.
The Whistler Girl Guides will be honourary wreath bearers while the Whistler Cubs are to provide service as the Flag Pole party. Blackcomb Aviation will offer their signature memorial Fly-Past after Reveille. A community reception will follow inside the fire station.
Village Gate Boulevard will be closed to traffic with buses rerouted from 10:45 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
This year's service will offer greater reflection on Canada's more recent war losses, following the official ending of Canada's combat role in Afghanistan in 2011. Canada lost 158 members of the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan, with many more injured.
"For a younger generation of Canadians, Afghanistan has been the first war in living memory. For many, this has been a 'first war' where friends, family as well as far away Canadians have given their lives in hope that all Canadians may live in a world free from tyranny and terror," said Brian Buchholz of the Whistler Fire Rescue Service in a release.
"Historically, Remembrance Day is a time for Canadians to come together, to reflect on the terrible loss of more than 116,000 young Canadians in war and peace keeping. These wars, largely of the 20th century, witnessed an unimaginable record of human sacrifice and loss."
The Royal Canadian Legion Pemberton has the following events planned for Nov. 11: A parade that leaves the firehall at 10:45 a.m. and the Remembrance Service at 11:00 a.m., to be followed by hotdogs, hot chocolate, soup and sandwiches. All are welcome.
The Squamish Nation is also holding its Veterans Gathering, Remembrance Cenotaph ceremony and powwow, which is open to the community. It takes place at Totem Hall, on the Stawamus Reserve south of Squamish, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
