WEST CARLETON – What has quickly grown in to West Carleton’s largest Remembrance Day service in Carp, is heading online in the age of COVID-19.

Both the traditional parade and service held at the West Carleton War Memorial in Carp on Nov. 11, will be cancelled in 2020 due to the ongoing pandemic. The volunteers behind the West Carleton War Memorial will host an event at the memorial, but it won’t be open to the public.

“It has obviously become necessary to cancel this year’s Remembrance Day parade this year,” memorial board member Stuart Hodge told West Carleton Online last week (Oct. 14). “Whilst traditionally we pay our respects at 11 a.m. we cannot have more than 25 people onsite so are proposing a compromise to allow access in a safe manner throughout the day.”

Those who wish to pay their respects and lay a wreath at the memorial are still invited to do so.

“We ask anyone wishing to place a wreath or poppy visit the memorial anytime during daylight hours other than 10:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. whilst observing the guidelines below.”

Those who would like to safely take part in a service, will be able to do so from the comfort of their own home.

“We also intended to live stream a short service at 11 a.m on the Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/WCWarMemorial,” Stuart said. “Please feel free to email me if you have any questions or require a wreath.”

Guidelines for laying a wreath:

• Anyone wishing to place a wreath or poppy may visit the memorial anytime during daylight hours.
• We ask that you do not visit between 10:45am and 11:15am to allow for a short prayer service.
• Social distancing must be observed, if there is anyone present on the flat area of the memorial please wait.
• Groups must not exceed the numbers mandated by the Province and/or City of Ottawa (currently set at 25 maximum)
• Each group has a maximum of 15 minutes, please respect this time allowance. 
• If your group requires a wreath, please email stuart@koallo.ca