Back to Search
Each year on November 11, the City of Brantford joins fellow Canadians in honoring the sacrifice and courage of those who fought to preserve the freedom of our nation during times of war, armed conflict and peace. We gather to remember, with reverence and gratitude, the importance of their sacrifices to our community and worldwide.
This year, due to COVID-19, gathering restrictions will need to remain in place. The 2020 Brantford Remembrance Day services have been adapted to ensure the safety of our veterans and residents while still providing opportunities to acknowledge this important day in history.
Outlined below are modified ways in which the City and community will pay our respects to acknowledge the sacrifice of our nation’s veterans:
November 10 at 6:00 p.m. - November 11 at 7:00 a.m.: An overnight Lighting Display will take place at the Brant County War Memorial (corner of Dalhousie St. & Brant Ave.). The public is invited to drive by within these hours to view the light display.
November 11 beginning at 10:45 a.m.: 2020 National Remembrance Day Ceremony. Conducted live at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, residents are encouraged to watch the ceremony via Facebook Live on the Canadian Legion's Facebook page.
November 11 within the time frame of 11:20 a.m. -11:35 a.m.: Weather permitting, residents are encouraged to step outside your home, place of business or place of learning and “Look Up and Remember” as vintage airplanes including the Lancaster, orbit our city in remembrance. The City of Brantford extends our gratitude to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum for including our community in their efforts to touch thousands of people in the Golden Horseshoe area during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Virtual Remembrances
Throughout the day, the City of Brantford will upload a series of videos to the City of Brantford Facebook page showcasing past Remembrance Day clips, as well as present-day dignitaries, organizations and emergency service personnel as they lay wreaths in remembrance at the Cenotaph.
Brant Museum & Archives - “Archival Discoveries” is an online series that features an episode on the creation of the Brant County War Memorial. To view, residents are encouraged to visit http://brantmuseum.ca/adult-programming/archival-discoveries/. The Remembrance Day Series topics for the month of November will include.
November 5 – Brant County War Memorial Association
November 12 – Letters of Ray Reeves during WWII
November 19 – Letters of the Betts Brothers during WWI
"While we are not able to gather in person the way we normally do on Remembrance Day this year, it is my sincere hope that residents will still find time this November 11to remember and reflect on the sacrifice of the brave men and women who have so honorably represented our community and nation,” said Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis. “I know that like me, many in our community take great pride in the legacy of courage, tenacity, and accomplishment of all those who have served.”
The City of Brantford is grateful for the efforts of those who have assisted in organizing the 2020 Civic Remembrance Day Service, including various veterans’ groups, community organizations, the 56th Field Artillery Regiment, Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Brant Museum & Archives, Brantford City Council, City of Brantford and County of Brant staff, our local MP, MPP and Legions.
In addition to wearing a poppy on November 11, in accordance with the City of Brantford mandatory face covering by-law, residents may wish to show their support by purchasing a Poppy Mask from the Canadian Legion at https://www.poppystore.ca/.
Subscribe to Blog