A Remembrance Day service is being held at the Murrayville cenotaph again this year after an unexpected amount of people showed up to last year’s ceremony.
Event coordinator Rosemary Genberg said the small group of volunteers who organize the event are more prepared this year, and received sponsorship from local businesses and the Township.
The procession includes a number of faces including the RCMP, firefighters, a piper, 746 Canadian Air Cadets, 2nd Langley Scouts and Pathfinders, and Langley Meadow Scouts.
Despite attracting more than 300 guests last year, the upcoming Murrayville ceremony is a ‘memorable country celebration,’ Genberg commented.
“It’s for everybody, all walks of life. Our’s is just a little country celebration.”
Last year, the group of volunteers expected around 100 people to attend. With numbers reaching more than 300 attendees, the volunteers ran out of programs, and had trouble projecting sound to the crowd.
This year the ceremony will have an improved sound system, a poetry reading, designated parking, and a plaque unveiling.
The Fraser Blues Formation Team will also do a fly-past over the Murrayville ceremony and other local Remembrance Day ceremonies.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
Volunteer Grace Muller said the Murrayville ceremony program is unlike larger Remembrance Day ceremonies in that it is ‘simple, but meaningful.’
“People liked the simplicity (last year). We had nothing but positive comments.”
Muller said it made sense to start an annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the Murrayville cenotaph since it’s been around for the same amount of time as the Fort Langley cenotaph.
She said her own family has Dutch roots, so many family members would not have survived if it wasn’t for the Canadian soldiers.
“We so take freedom for granted. Although Canada is not perfect, it’s got to be one of the best countries in the world.”
The volunteer committee is made up of five people including Genberg, Muller, Sylvia Anderson, Counc. Bob Long and RCMP Cpl. Kirby Adams.
The cenotaph is located in the Murrayville Cemetery at 21405 44 Ave., and the procession begins at 10:30 a.m.
Following the ceremony, refreshments will be available to the public at both the Murrayville United Church at 21562 Old Yale Rd. and the Langley Golf and Banquet Centre at 21550 44 Ave.
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