If you've been by Windsor City Hall Square, you might notice the seat of local government has been lit up red the past few nights.
It's in honour of local veterans who fought for our freedoms in past conflicts and continue to keep the peace today.
Officials at City Hall also posted large decals in some of the windows along the main floor.
Along Wyandotte Street East in Olde Riverside, banners displaying the names of local veterans will hang until November 2023. The city unveiled that project earlier this year.
"I am grateful to be able to gather together again this year to pay our respects, pause and reflect, and say 'thank you,' to the selfless men and women who fought to leave our world safer and better than they found it," said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.
On Saturday, commemoration activities continue with the South Walkerville Great War Street Sign Walking Tour. For those who wish to know why streets in that neighbourhood are named after great battles in the First World War, the walk gets underway at 2 p.m. and lasts about two hours. Those who want to go can contact Museum Windsor at 519-253-1812 or online.
Until November 10, the city will post videos featuring local veterans reflecting on their service on the City of Windsor Facebook page. You'll also find them on the mayor's page. The Veterans Memories Project produced many of the videos.
On November 9 and 10, two roundtable discussions with local veterans, officers, and their families will be rebroadcast on the city and mayor's Facebook pages. Dilkens sat down with them in 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic.
The city's official Remembrance Day service is on Friday, November 11, starting at 11 a.m. at the cenotaph in City Hall Square. It will be broadcast live on the city's Facebook page and YourTV. YourTV will rebroadcast the service at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
"On November 11, as we should every day, we remember those who volunteered, sacrificed, served, fought and died for our freedom," said President of the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee Paul Lauzon. "There are many ways to join as a community to honour our heroes."
Those who wish to lay a wreath at the cenotaph need to call Bonnie Burian with the Windsor Veterans Memorial Service Committee at 519-973-4057 or email bburian@cogeco.ca.
