Decoration Day, Sunday June 1st Cancelled

The update is required due to the smoke conditions. Many other communities are having Decoration Day services next Sunday. (Amended Saturday, May 30)

If you hear the term Decoration Day and wonder exactly what this means, here is a bit of history courtesy of Jason Antonio.

The first Decoration Day took place in June 1890 when veterans of the Fenian Raids more than 20 years earlier placed decorations at the Canadian Volunteers Monument in Toronto. The following year, the public took notice, with 30,000 people taking part in remembrance ceremonies during the 25th anniversary of the Raids. This has continued through the years with local cadets cleaning and placing flags on graves.

On Decoration Day at Regina’s, Riverside Memorial Cemetery “Field of Honour” a service will be held including the Colour Party and memorial service. Decoration Day entails Canadian flags placed at the graves of soldiers and then a service to honour the men and women. The event begins approximately at 9am as cadets place flags on graves. The formal part of the day begins at 10:30 with a service Sunday, June 1.

The Royal Canadian Legion Regina Branch 001 at 1820 Cornwall Street, Regina will be open following the services from noon to 3pm.

Call your local Legion Branch to ask about Decoration Day activities in your community. Or place a Canadian Flag on fallen soldiers at your nearest cemetery.