Beechwood Cemetery invites Canadians to actively participate in remembrance

As Remembrance Day approaches, Beechwood Cemetery is encouraging people to embrace remembrance as an action. It is also providing various opportunities to do so through events that will immerse the public in acknowledging the sacrifices of Canada’s fallen soldiers.

“A lot of times, people go through the motions of putting on a poppy or watching a Remembrance Day ceremony on TV without actively reflecting on those who fought for the country we have now,” says Nick McCarthy, Beechwood’s director of marketing, communications and community outreach. “It’s becoming more important, as time passes from the World Wars and where we are losing veterans of those wars, to find ways to connect with their sacrifices.”

Throughout the year, Beechwood hosts events that focus on the military and associated organizations such as the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).

In addition to guided tours, upcoming opportunities to acknowledge Canadians who played a role in national defense include No Stone Left Alone on Nov. 5, during which students and other participants place poppies on soldiers’ headstones, and CSIS National Memorial Cemetery Remembrance Ceremony on Nov. 7. A few days later, on Nov. 10, Beechwood will commemorate two events: RCMP Annual Veterans’ Week memorial service and the Amicitia France-Canada Remembrance Day, which honours the friendship between the two countries.

“These ceremonies are very moving,” says McCarthy. “It’s part of the reason that we acknowledge each individual soldier. They went off and served our country, but they were also someone’s dad, mother, brother, sister, son, family and friend. So, when we look at the action of remembrance, being shoulder to shoulder with other people — including veterans’ families — and sharing a communal moment allows us to pay respect in a more profound way.”

Beyond organized events, McCarthy says taking time to simply walk through the military cemetery can help people to reflect more actively. He encourages visitors, as they walk among the headstones to consider how the military mirrors Canadian society.

“The military cemetery is reflective of Canada,” McCarthy says. “You are able to find yourself with Canadian armed service members with similar backgrounds, who were ready to sacrifice on our behalf. This helps to create a bigger bond to our communities and Canada.”

Beechwood’s National Military Cemetery’s Annual Remembrance Day Service begins at 10:45 a.m. on Nov. 11. With about 3,000 people in attendance last year, McCarthy encourages attendees to arrive early.