Markham virtual Remembrance Day marks 75th anniversary of the end of WWII

MARKHAM, ON – November 6, 2020 – Every year, Canadians gather at Remembrance Day ceremonies to honour our surviving veterans and to remember those who fell answering the call of duty. This year, to protect our veterans and our community from COVID-19, the City of Markham will mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II virtually at markham.ca/markhamremembers and through selected commemorative initiatives.
 
On Wednesday, November 11, the City of Markham will release a virtual Remembrance Day video at markham.ca/markhamremembers. This will include a reading of John McCrae’s beloved war memorial poem, In Flanders Fields, together with new poems by the winner of each category of the 2020 Remembrance Day poetry contest:

• For All of Us by Annabelle Jay, Grade 7 student at Unionville Montessori School
• Our Soldiers Brave by Stephanie Ng, Grade 10 student at St. Brother André Catholic High School
• What is your Name? by Amisha Packiareginauld, Grade 12 student at St. Brother André Catholic High School  

In addition, members of the public are invited to leave a message in the City's virtual Book of Remembrance at markham.ca/markhamremembers throughout November.

“This Remembrance Day, we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II and pay tribute to all those who have defended our freedoms and made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “Although we cannot be physically together for Remembrance Day commemorations this year, I encourage you to find other ways to pay tribute to our war dead, including donating to the Royal Canadian Legion. To the honoured veterans who are still with us, we say thank you. To those who have passed, we will never forget you.”

To provide space and time to reflect on our freedoms as Canadians this year, we invite the community to visit Markham’s memorial sites during Remembrance Week, from November 7 to 14, to place a poppy and pay their respects to our veterans. The memorial sites are:

• Markham Village Veterans Square and Cenotaph, Southeast corner of Markham Road and Highway 7, Markham Village
• Crosby Memorial Arena Cenotaph, 210 Main Street, Unionville
   

Visitors to each site are reminded to follow public health protocols by keeping a safe distance from others (2 metres/6 feet). In-person Remembrance Day ceremonies will not take place at Markham’s memorial sites this year.

This year the City of Markham has again partnered with the Markham District Veteran’s Association (MDVA) to host the Veterans’ Memorial Banners Program. In 2019, 40 commemorative banners of both former and active service members were installed by the City on street poles in Markham Village. The program has been expanded this year to include an additional 16 banners featuring service members along Main Street, Markham, between Highway 7 and Parkway Avenue/Bullock Dr. Each banner includes a veteran’s photograph, their Allied flag, their service position and era of service, and the banner sponsors.
 
Seventeen banners along Yonge Street, from Elgin Street to Thornhill Summit Drive, highlight veterans with roots in Thornhill. Each bears a veteran’s photograph, their name and era of service.

Markham’s Contact Centre continues to respond to inquiries about municipal services and programs at customerservice@markham.ca and 905.477.5530, Monday to Friday between 8 AM and 5 PM.

For more information and updates about COVID-19 and affected City services, visit markham.ca/covid19.
 

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Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti's Office: 
Bryan Frois, Chief of Staff at bfrois@markham.ca or 416.567.1177. 
 

All other media inquiries / interview requests for the City of Markham: 
Jennifer Yap, Coordinator, Communications and Media Relations at jyap@markham.ca or 437.229.2450. 

 

For COVID-19 announcements from the City of Markham:

Visit markham.ca/covid19 or listen to 105.9 The Region – Markham’s information and emergency radio station. 

 

About Markham: Markham, an award-winning municipality with more than 350,000 residents and the largest of nine communities in York Region, is home to over 650 headquartered companies and more than 1,500 high tech and life science companies. Markham is a leader in attracting foreign direct investment with more than 234 foreign companies located in the City. Founded in the 1790s, today Markham is Canada’s most diverse community and enjoys a rich heritage, outstanding community planning and services, and a vibrant local economy.

Stay Connected: Visit our newsroom or search #MarkhamNews and #MarkhamEvents for the latest information on City programs, services and events.