98th Annual Hamilton Decoration Day Memorial Service

HAMILTON, ON - June 6, 2017 -  The Hamilton Veterans Committee invites you to attend the 98th Annual Hamilton Decoration Day Memorial Service to be held on Sunday, June 11 at 11 am. This outdoor event will take place at Eastlawn Cemetery, 2280 Barton Street East, Hamilton. This will be the only Decoration Day Service to be held this year.

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 11 as the national "Remembrance Day". However the tradition of Decoration Day, Canada's first day of remembrance, has been maintained in our City thanks to the efforts of the Hamilton Veterans Committee, local branches of the Royal Canadian Legion and local veterans’ organizations.

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

“I wish to thank the Hamilton Veterans Committee for their work to keep this annual tradition alive in our community. Decoration Day is a respectful event that honours our veterans who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.” - Fred Eisenberger, Mayor of Hamilton

For more information, visit www.hamilton.ca/events or call 905-546-2424 ext. 4688.