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Nelson Remembrance Day crowd larger than expected

About 200 people attended at the cenotaph
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Raab Smith at the Remembrance Day ceremony in Nelson in 2021. He served in the U.S. Navy in the Gulf War in 1990-91. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Bill Andreaschuk, president of the Nelson branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, was surprised by the turnout at this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony at the cenotaph.

“I was thrilled to see the number of people and I was really thrilled to see they tried to keep their distancing and many of them were wearing masks,” he told the Nelson Star. “I know there are no limits to the outdoor gatherings now. However, the people did their very best to keep everybody safe.”

In an attempt not to draw a large crowd, the Legion laid the wreaths in advance, shortened the ceremony, cancelled the parade, streamed the proceedings online, and encouraged people to watch it from home.

Andreaschuk estimated that about 200 people attended the ceremony in person.

Chuck Clarkson of Nelson, age 96, served in WWII with the Canadian army in northeastern France. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Chuck Clarkson of Nelson, age 96, served in WWII with the Canadian army in northeastern France. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Raab Smith, who fought for the U.S. Navy in the first Gulf War, was also surprised by the turnout.

“I thought it would be just a skeleton crew out here,” he said. “I have a lot of shipmates that died in Iraq and Afghanistan, and this brings it home. I got injured but I’m happy I made it. Being here is home.”

Chuck Clarkson, age 96, fought in France in the Canadian Army in the Second World War.

“I think this is fantastic,” he said. “It’s a nice crowd. It’s nice to see a lot of people who remember.”

Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Nelson Creston MLA Brittny Anderson spoke at the 2021 Remembrance Day ceremony in Nelson. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Nelson Creston MLA Brittny Anderson spoke at the 2021 Remembrance Day ceremony in Nelson. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Veterans Raab Smith and Chuck Clarkson. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Veterans Raab Smith and Chuck Clarkson. Photo: Bill Metcalfe



bill.metcalfe@nelsonstar.com

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Bill Metcalfe

About the Author: Bill Metcalfe

I have lived in Nelson since 1994 and worked as a reporter at the Nelson Star since 2015.
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