REGINA, Sask. — Regina paused to remember its veterans and fallen service members Wednesday morning, with a ceremony at Victoria Park carrying special significance as the Cenotaph marked 100 years since its unveiling.
The outdoor service began at 10:30 a.m., bringing the community to the monument at the heart of the park. The anniversary offered a reminder that the city’s tradition of remembrance is deeply rooted in its own history, as well as in the sacrifices made by Canadians in conflicts around the world.
The Cenotaph was unveiled on Nov. 11, 1926, to honour Regina residents who died in the First World War. It was designed as an empty tomb, recognizing that many of the fallen were buried overseas and their families had no graves close to home where they could mourn.
The monument was designed by Montreal architect R.W.G. Heughan in collaboration with Regina architect Francis Portnall. Its distinctive carving of a soldier, known as the Brooding Soldier, was created by Frederick Clemesha, a Saskatchewan veteran who served during the First World War.
Originally dedicated to those killed in the Great War, the Cenotaph was rededicated in 1990 to include those who died in the Second World War and Korean War. In 2018, its recognition was expanded to include those who died in the South African War and Afghanistan.
The monument now commemorates more than 118,000 Canadian military members who have died in service.
Regina’s military history is also reflected in the Royal Canadian Legion’s Branch 001, which holds the distinction of being the first Legion branch in Canada to receive its charter. The branch was issued its designation in 1926, the same year the Cenotaph was unveiled.
The city’s connection to the Second World War is particularly strong through the Royal Regina Rifles, whose members took part in the D-Day landings at Juno Beach on June 6, 1944. The regiment’s history remains an important part of Saskatchewan’s military legacy.
Visitors to Victoria Park can also learn more about individual service members through a series of historical pedestals surrounding the Cenotaph. The Royal United Services Institute of Regina has installed 29 pedestals, each sharing stories of people who served. QR codes added in partnership with the University of Regina allow visitors to access additional information, photographs and historical accounts on their phones.
While the Victoria Park ceremony was the focus of the outdoor observances, the Royal Canadian Legion Regina Branch 001 also hosted its annual indoor Remembrance Day service at the Brandt Centre. That ceremony began at 10:30 a.m., with guests encouraged to arrive from 9:30. It included a moment of silence at 11 a.m., followed by wreath laying, with music provided by the Prairie Winds Orchestra.
For those looking to continue reflecting on the day, the Royal Canadian Legion’s Vimy Lounge opened at noon, offering an opportunity for community members to gather.
At 2 p.m., Darke Hall was scheduled to host the Nightingales Wartime Tribute. The performance features familiar songs from the First and Second World Wars, including music associated with the Andrews Sisters and Vera Lynn. It is dedicated to the memory of Crash Harrison, a Saskatchewan-born Second World War bomber pilot who survived four aircraft crashes. The performance was listed as sold out.
The City of Regina also observed its holiday schedule Wednesday. Civic offices were closed, Regina Transit operated on a Sunday schedule, and paid on-street parking requirements were not in effect. Regular garbage, recycling and food and yard waste collection continued.
One hundred years after the Cenotaph first gave Regina a place to remember its fallen, the monument remains a central gathering point for the community. Its anniversary serves as a reminder that remembrance is not only about looking back at the wars Canadians fought, but also about preserving the stories of the people who served and the families and communities they left behind.
