100th Annual Hamilton Decoration Day Memorial Service June 9, 2019

HAMILTON, ON - The Hamilton Veterans Committee invites the public to attend the 100th Annual Hamilton Decoration Day Memorial Service at 11 am on Sunday June 9 at Hamilton Cemetery, 777 York Blvd, Hamilton.

In memory of those Hamiltonians who paid the ultimate price and as a sign of respect for their sacrifice and the hope that it was not in vain, all veterans' graves in Hamilton Cemetery will be decorated by local cadet groups. 

Quick Facts

• This is the only Decoration Day Service to be held this year. Youth and families are encouraged to attend.
• Decoration Day is a Canadian tradition that began in Hamilton as a way to mark the sacrifice of Canadian Militia members killed at the Battle of Ridgeway during the Fenian Raids of 1866. Families would gather and place living floral tributes on veterans’ graves and on war memorials as a symbol of respect and hope.
• In 1931, the Government of Canada proclaimed November 11th as the national "Remembrance Day". The tradition of Decoration Day has been maintained in Hamilton thanks to the efforts of the Hamilton Veterans Committee, local branches of the Royal Canadian Legion and local veterans’ organizations.