Remembrance Day

Aldergrove resident and Second World War Veteran Jack Airone. (Courtesy Airone family)

‘They used to tell us that if we weren’t down here, they wouldn’t be up there’

Aldergrove resident Jack Airone served as a mechanic for the Air Force during the Second World War

Aldergrove resident and Second World War Veteran Jack Airone. (Courtesy Airone family)
George Miller has been the head of the Snowbirds aerobatics team and manager of the Langley Regional Airport. Now retired, he’s still flying as leader of the Fraser Blues team. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)

Fraser Blues still flying to honour sacrifices of Canadians

The precision flying team will be in the air over Langley on Nov. 11

George Miller has been the head of the Snowbirds aerobatics team and manager of the Langley Regional Airport. Now retired, he’s still flying as leader of the Fraser Blues team. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)
Irene Brummitt was waiting with her hand-knitted Remembrance Day poppies for donors to arrive at the entrance to the Avalon seniors residence in Murrayville on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. It was her third year making poppies to help with the annual veterans fundraiser. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

WEB POLL: Will you mark Remembrance Day this year?

There are fewer options for public events this year

  • Nov 3, 2020
Irene Brummitt was waiting with her hand-knitted Remembrance Day poppies for donors to arrive at the entrance to the Avalon seniors residence in Murrayville on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020. It was her third year making poppies to help with the annual veterans fundraiser. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
When veteran Richard Jolly, who fought in the battle of Medak Pocket in 1993, has a bad dream, his dog Daisy will snuggle up to offer comfort. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

Haunted by the ghosts of the Medak Pocket: a Langley veteran remembers

Richard Jolly took part in one of the most severe battles Canadian troops fought since the Korean War

When veteran Richard Jolly, who fought in the battle of Medak Pocket in 1993, has a bad dream, his dog Daisy will snuggle up to offer comfort. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
Irene Brummitt was waiting with her hand-knitted Remembrance Day poppies for donors to arrive at the entrance to the Avalon seniors residence in Murrayville on Sunday, Nov. 1. It was her third year making poppies to help with the annual veterans fundraiser. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

VIDEO: Langley seniors knit poppies for Remembrance Day

‘It makes me feel really good’ to raise funds for veterans, says Irene Brummitt

Irene Brummitt was waiting with her hand-knitted Remembrance Day poppies for donors to arrive at the entrance to the Avalon seniors residence in Murrayville on Sunday, Nov. 1. It was her third year making poppies to help with the annual veterans fundraiser. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
People gather to honour the fallen during a Remembrance Day ceremony at God’s Acre Veteran’s Cemetery in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, November 11, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Ryan’s Regards: Will Rememberance Day become memory?

COVID changed how we memorialize our Veterans this year, but these alterations may stick around

People gather to honour the fallen during a Remembrance Day ceremony at God’s Acre Veteran’s Cemetery in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, November 11, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Janet Austin, lieutenant governor of B.C., was presented with the first poppy of the Royal Canadian Legion’s 2020 Poppy Campaign on Wednesday. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

PHOTOS: B.C. Lieutenant Governor receives first poppy to kick off 2020 campaign

Janet Austin ‘honour and a privileged’ to receive the poppy

Janet Austin, lieutenant governor of B.C., was presented with the first poppy of the Royal Canadian Legion’s 2020 Poppy Campaign on Wednesday. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
Earle Fraser, Cloverdale Legion poppy chair, seen here distributing poppies in 2019, said the donation drive has to be done differently during the pandemic (Langley Advance Times file)
Earle Fraser, Cloverdale Legion poppy chair, seen here distributing poppies in 2019, said the donation drive has to be done differently during the pandemic (Langley Advance Times file)
A veteran posed for a picture by the Langley City cenotaph at the 2019 Remembrance Day service. This year, because of the pandemic, organizers are moving the event online, with a few extras. (Langley Advance Times file)

Online Remembrance Day in Langley City will have extras for viewers

Video visits with Fraser Blues flight team, as well as veterans, are planned

A veteran posed for a picture by the Langley City cenotaph at the 2019 Remembrance Day service. This year, because of the pandemic, organizers are moving the event online, with a few extras. (Langley Advance Times file)
Aldergrove’s Shaelyn Lorensen won the 2019-2020 Youth Remembrance Contest with her artwork, held through the Legion National Foundation. (Shaelyn Lorensen/Special to The Star)

Aldergrove resident wins legion’s national youth remembrance art contest

Shaelyn Lorensen’s work is now on display at the National War Museum in Ottawa

Aldergrove’s Shaelyn Lorensen won the 2019-2020 Youth Remembrance Contest with her artwork, held through the Legion National Foundation. (Shaelyn Lorensen/Special to The Star)
Aldergrove legion Branch 265 president Doug Hadley presents a poppy to Langley Township mayor Jack Froese. (Madeline Roach/Special to the Aldergrove Star)

Poppy sales begin at Aldergrove legion branch #265

Branch president Doug Hadley shared the poem Who is a Veteran to begin the time of remembrance

Aldergrove legion Branch 265 president Doug Hadley presents a poppy to Langley Township mayor Jack Froese. (Madeline Roach/Special to the Aldergrove Star)
The Royal Canadian Legion is doing what was once the unthinkable: Discouraging people from attending Remembrance Day ceremonies in person this year. The 2019 National Silver Cross Mother, Reine Samson Dawe, middle left, and Governor General Julie Payette, middle left, watched the parade during the Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Remembrance Day planners scrambling as COVID-19 upends traditional ceremonies

Legion branches are scrambling to plan stripped-down versions of the annual sombre ceremonies

The Royal Canadian Legion is doing what was once the unthinkable: Discouraging people from attending Remembrance Day ceremonies in person this year. The 2019 National Silver Cross Mother, Reine Samson Dawe, middle left, and Governor General Julie Payette, middle left, watched the parade during the Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Aldergrove Legion Branch 265 held a Canadian flag raising ceremony on Saturday, June 27. (Ryan Uytdewilligen/Aldergrove Star)

Aldergrove legion to hold live-streamed Remembrance Day ceremony

Branch 265 will sell poppies and legion-themed masks between Oct. 30 and Nov. 10

Aldergrove Legion Branch 265 held a Canadian flag raising ceremony on Saturday, June 27. (Ryan Uytdewilligen/Aldergrove Star)
A woman pins her poppy on a cross after a Remembrance Day ceremony at the cenotaph in New Westminster, B.C., on Monday November 11, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Royal Canadian Legion adjusts to pandemic with electronic poppy sale pilot

You likely won’t be seeing volunteers with poppy tables out front stores this year

A woman pins her poppy on a cross after a Remembrance Day ceremony at the cenotaph in New Westminster, B.C., on Monday November 11, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The colour party arrives at the head of the procession during the 2018 Remembrance Day service at Fort Langley. (Langley Advance Times files)

Fort Langley set to welcome 20th Remembrance Day service

From two people to several thousand, the event has grown tremendously

The colour party arrives at the head of the procession during the 2018 Remembrance Day service at Fort Langley. (Langley Advance Times files)
Otway Wilkie, a Langley police officer, joined up to fight in South Africa. (Photo courtesy of Warren Sommer)

Remembrance Day: Langley played a part in Britain’s war in South Africa

The last living veteran of the Boer War died in Aldergrove at age 111

Otway Wilkie, a Langley police officer, joined up to fight in South Africa. (Photo courtesy of Warren Sommer)
London Drugs has offered to pay for Victoria’s Remembrance Day ceremonies for three years (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

London Drugs offers to pay Victoria Remembrance Day costs after funding debate

The pledge comes after council voted to ask federal branches for refunds on police costs

London Drugs has offered to pay for Victoria’s Remembrance Day ceremonies for three years (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)
REMEMBRANCE: Langley community supports Murrayville ceremony (with VIDEO)

REMEMBRANCE: Langley community supports Murrayville ceremony (with VIDEO)

The second annual community Remembrance Day service at the Murrayville cemetery attracted all ages.

REMEMBRANCE: Langley community supports Murrayville ceremony (with VIDEO)
World War Two aviation legends Albert Mah and Cedric Mah were raised in Prince Rupert before finding their wings. (Steven Lemay photo)

Remembering Northern B.C.’s Flying Tigers

The legend of World War Two pilots Albert and Cedric Mah, as told by their daughters

World War Two aviation legends Albert Mah and Cedric Mah were raised in Prince Rupert before finding their wings. (Steven Lemay photo)
A large crowd turned out for the Remembrance Day service at the Murrayville Cemetery in 2017. The organizing committee is making plans for this year’s service to accommodate the large number of people expected. (Langley Advance files)

Community members ready for Remembrance Day at Murrayville Cemetery

Murrayville’s cemetery is home to one of the community’s cenotaphs.

A large crowd turned out for the Remembrance Day service at the Murrayville Cemetery in 2017. The organizing committee is making plans for this year’s service to accommodate the large number of people expected. (Langley Advance files)