What to expect at the National War Memorial Remembrance Day service

OTTAWA – While there will be a fine Remembrance Day service in Carp this year thanks to these two fine people, for those who want to attend the downtown service at the National War Memorial, here’s what to expect.

To commemorate Veterans’ Week, the Poppy Flag will be flown at City Hall and other select facilities from Sunday, Nov. 5 to Saturday, Nov. 11. In addition, all flags at city facilities will be lowered to half-mast from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, Nov. 11 to commemorate Remembrance Day and honour all Canadians, past and present, who have served their country in time of war.

The National Remembrance Day Ceremony will take place at the National War Memorial on Saturday, Nov. 11. The ceremony will begin at approximately 10:30 a.m.

“You can attend in person or watch the ceremony live on the Royal Canadian Legion’s Facebook page and local and national news broadcasts,” city staff released in a statement today (Nov. 7).

Royal Canadian Legion branches host Remembrance Day ceremonies in communities across Ottawa. Visit the Royal Canadian Legion’s website for more information on events happening in your area. The West Carleton Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 616, traditionally hosts their Remembrance Day service the Saturday before Nov. 11, which was last Saturday (Nov. 4) and you can see our coverage of that great ceremony here.

Canadian Armed Forces CF-18 Hornets and a vintage plane will fly over the National War Memorial, the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Armed Forces and various Royal Canadian Legion locations in Ottawa between 10:50 and 11:59 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11.

“On Wednesday, Nov. 8, we also encourage you to take a moment to honour Indigenous Veterans Day,” staff said. “The flags at all city facilities will be lowered to half-mast from sunrise to sunset on this day to honour the important contributions made by more than 12,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis Veterans in service to Canada.”

If you plan on attending the National Remembrance Day Ceremony or will be in the downtown core, be sure to plan ahead. The following streets will be closed from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11 due to the ceremony:

• Elgin Street, from Laurier Avenue to Wellington Street
• Wellington Street, from Rideau Street/Sussex Avenue to Bank Street
• Metcalfe Street, between Albert and Wellington streets
• Queen Street, between O’Connor and Wellington streets
• Queen Elizabeth Driveway, between Somerset Street and Laurier Avenue West

There will be intermittent, rolling closures between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the area bounded by Nicholas Street to the east, Laurier Avenue West to the south, Elgin Street to the west, and Wellington/Rideau streets to the north, as the parade is escorted to and from the National War Memorial by the Ottawa Police Service.

“Consider using transit to get to the ceremony,” staff said. “Veterans who wear their medals or uniforms during National Veterans’ Week, from Sunday, Nov. 5 to Saturday, Nov. 11, can ride OC Transpo buses and trains, Para Transpo vehicles and Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) buses for free.”

Companions accompanying veterans also ride at no charge. Visit octranspo.com for more information.