Preparations are well underway for Remembrance Day in Chatham.
Christ Church in downtown Chatham will bring back its Remembrance Day Vigil to the downtown Chatham cenotaph on November 10 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Remembrance Day November 11 between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m.
The Royal Canadian Legion Chatham Branch 642 will also hold a flag raising ceremony on Friday at the Chatham-Kent Civic Centre to kick off the poppy campaign.
Reverend John Maroney told CK News Today Christ Church Chatham is organizing the vigil to show respect for those who unselfishly served Canada.
Reverend Maroney said the public usually reads about Remembrance Day in a book or they stand and watch the service from afar, and by volunteering for the vigil they can touch and feel history.
"It's a visceral way of remembering what actually happened so long ago so we could be here and enjoy the freedoms we have in Canada. So, it's a way of actually becoming an active participant in remembrance and remembering," said Reverend Maroney.
Maroney said the hours have changed to keep the vigil volunteers safe.
Reverend Maroney said it's important to pay tribute to those who bravely served and to those who lost their lives.
"We're trying to highlight the meaning and the profundity of what service is, not just to one's country, but to one's community and to one's self. It's really important because I think that's what we're starting to lose with AI and that's what we're trying to reclaim, is a respect for that," the reverend noted.
President of the Royal Canadian Legion Chatham Branch 642 Len Maynard, who is a 30-year veteran, told CK News Today it's great to see that the vigil has returned. However, his Legion members had to back out because of the perceived unsafe conditions in downtown Chatham at night, calling it a "crying shame."
"Part of the reason we're backing out is because I can't protect my people and our busy schedule on top. That's my concern. I'm glad to see the vigil come back. It's something I hated to see given up," said Maynard.
Remembrance Day services are on November 11 at 11 a.m. and Maynard is asking the public to come out and remember.
The reverend noted the vigil list is almost full and the one hour shifts will likely be reduced to half hour watches.
Anyone interested in taking a shift can call Christ Church at 519-352-1640.
Maroney said the church hall at 80 Wellington Street West will be opened as a warming station and coffee, tea, and food will be available throughout the vigil times.
The church needs muffins, cookies, and people to manage the kitchen during the time of vigil.
Some extra help is also needed on November 9 at 4 p.m. to make and bag sandwiches.
If you are interested in helping, call Jane at 519-351-7373.