ESTEVAN - The Estevan branch of the Royal Canadian Legion held the city's annual Remembrance Day service on Thursday morning at the cenotaph.
For the second straight year, the service was held outdoors as opposed to the traditional indoor setting of the Estevan Comprehensive School, due to concerns related to COVID-19.
But unlike last year, the public was able to gather to watch the ceremony. A few dozen people opted to come out and watch the service in person, rather than online.
Those who turned out braved strong winds and a light dusting of snow.
The ceremony was also shorter than normal, but still featured many of the traditional components, such as prayers, The Last Post, two minutes of silence, Reveille, the reading of In Flanders' Field, and the Act of Remembrance. Wreaths were placed at the cenotaph, although not as many as planned due to the strong winds.
It was also noted at the service that this year marked the 100th anniversary of the poppy.
The Southeast Military Museums, which are split between the Estevan Legion and a site northeast of Estevan, were open to the public in the afternoon.
A digital poppy drop will be shown at the cenotaph this evening, followed by the Salute to Estevan Veterans slide show that has happened at the Remembrance Day service in previous years.
Next week's edition of the Mercury will have more on this story.
