CONSTANCE BAY – It is the single most important event the West Carleton Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 616, hosts every year. And while this year will be no exception, the annual Remembrance Day Service will be a scaled back affair thanks to COVID-19.

“Branch 616 will conduct a scaled back Remembrance Day observance on Saturday, Nov. 7, under strict COVID-19 instructions,” Branch 616 public information officer Arleen Morrow released in a statement today (Oct. 8).

There will be no parade, no special guests and no advertising.

“The Colour Party shall be composed of executive members only,” Morrow said. “The cenotaph ceremony will be limited to 100 people on legion grounds.”

Wreaths will still be available for purchase. To order one, call the branch at 613-832-2082 or Bogdan Procyk at 878-8701. You may also submit your order online.

“We ask that all visitors comply with COVID-19 safety measures to keep everyone safe and healthy in order to stop the spread of the virus and to keep the legion open,” Morrow said.

The Poppy Campaign will also be scaled back and will start on Friday, Oct. 30.

“The placing and manning of tables at our usual stores will be challenging this year,” Morrow said. “Poppy chair Bogdan Procyk will contact the stores and make a plan.”

The campaign runs from Friday Oct. 30 to Tuesday, Nov. 10.