Westbank Legion ready for big day

• Remembrance Day Service to be held at Royal LePage Place
• First large remembrance gathering since 2019

The Westbank Royal Canadian Legion is ready to host a Remembrance Day service at Royal LePage Place Thursday.

It's something that hasn’t happened in two years because of COVID-19.

“With the city's help, we’re able to put it on,” President of the Westbank Legion Anne Fox told Kelowna10.

Fox was speaking Wednesday night as she and fellow Legion members were busy wrapping up their poppy campaigning and preparing wreaths ahead of the event.

Fox said they held a small service last year, but it was important to have a proper Remembrance Day service this time.

“You have to be able to make sure that everyone remembers, and if you don’t have that service and you don’t have those poppy taggers people are going to forget,” Fox said.

Remembrance Day means a lot to Fox, as both her father and mother are long time Legion members. Her father was a 35-year veteran.

Fellow member and veteran Dave Morrison, attends the ceremony each year without fail, to remember those who sacrificed so much, like his father.

“As a veteran, but more with respect to my father than anything - I attend every service, every year,” Morrison said.

“It means a whole lot to me. As much today as it did 30 years ago.”

Pandemic measures in place

Thursday’s event in West Kelowna is going ahead thanks to assistance from the city and is to follow Provincial Health Orders and Interior Health guidelines.

Attendance is limited to 50 per cent capacity, which in Royal LePage Place is 750 people. The Legion has asked everyone to arrive early because of possible delays in getting people into the venue.

Everyone 12 and older must show proof of full vaccination (two doses) in order to enter.

Everyone five and older must wear masks, medical or non-medical grade, covering the nose and face, when indoors.

An option is available to listen to the ceremony outdoors in the courtyard, with space for up to 100 additional people.