Hamilton Hosts Decoration Day Memorial Service on June 12

Hamilton, ON – June 2, 2016 – The Hamilton Veterans Committee invites the public to attend the 97th annual Decoration Day Memorial Service to be held on Sunday, June 12, 2016 at 11 am. The outdoor event will take place at Woodland Cemetery, Section 18 (Upper Field of Honour), 700 Spring Garden Rd. in Burlington.

Decoration Day is a Canadian tradition that began in Hamilton and the Niagara Peninsula during the 19th century. Families would gather and place flowers 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"; however, the tradition of Decoration Day – Canada's original day of remembrance – has been maintained in this city thanks to the efforts of the Hamilton Veterans Committee and local branches of the Royal Canadian Legion.

In memory of those Hamiltonians who made the ultimate sacrifice, all veterans' graves in Woodland Cemetery will be decorated with a Canadian flag as a sign of respect and the hope that it was not in vain. The memorial service will pay tribute to the many men and women who have served Canada.

For more information about this event, please call 905-546-2424 ext. 4646