Hamilton Decoration Day Memorial Service on June 10, 2018
HAMILTON, ON – The Hamilton Veterans Committee invites the public to attend the 99th annual Hamilton Decoration Day Memorial Service on Sun., Jun. 10 at 11 am at the Hamilton Cemetery, 777 York Blvd. Please note this will be the only Decoration Day Service to be held this year. Youth and families are encouraged to attend this event.
Decoration Day is a Canadian tradition that began in Hamilton 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’. 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 Hamilton Cemetery will be decorated by local cadet groups as a sign of respect for their sacrifice and the hope that it was not in vain.
For more information about this event, visit www.decorationday.ca or call 905-546-2424 ext. 4211