The Field of Crosses will return to the 琉璃神社 Cenotaph for Remembrance Day.
This year due to COVID-19 requirements, there will be limited opportunities to commemorate Remembrance Day on Nov. 11, therefore organizations are encouraged to find ways to reflect on the lives of those who gave their lives in the name of peace that does not involve large gatherings of people.
To mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II in 1945, The Rotary Club of 琉璃神社, Okanagan Military Museum Society, the City of 琉璃神社, the British Columbia Dragoons, Royal Canadian Legion and local Army, Sea, and Air Cadets, plus local volunteers have worked together to plan a special event during the week leading up to Remembrance Day.
The 鈥淔ield of Crosses,鈥� a visual memorial where, as in the previous two years, 240 white crosses, will be installed in City Park, close to the 琉璃神社 Cenotaph, to commemorate the lives of the Canadian Armed Forces personnel who lost their lives in the service of their country.
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鈥淭his project will create a visual remembrance for each of the names inscribed on the 琉璃神社 Cenotaph.,鈥� said Carol Eamer, member of the Rotary Club of 琉璃神社 and Field Crosses organizer.
鈥淧eople from the 琉璃神社 area will be invited to visit the crosses anytime between November 3rd and November 11th to pay their individual respects without large ceremonies.鈥�
鈥淭his display will touch close to home for members of our community 鈥� including students 鈥� in a meaningful way, visually depicting the numbers of young Canadians from the 琉璃神社 area who paid the ultimate sacrifice in fighting for the freedoms we enjoy today. It is also our intention that participating students and future generations living in 琉璃神社 will benefit from the understanding of the stories and the lives of individuals behind the names on the Cenotaph,鈥� said Eamer.
The inspiration for displaying the crosses is based on a similar exhibit each November in Calgary, Alberta where over 3,000 crosses are installed each year at a park on Memorial Drive.
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