CALGARY -- A private Remembrance Day ceremony for invited guests was held at The Hangar Flight Museum but members of the public were encouraged to participate virtually.

Don Ross, the director of The Hangar Flight Museum board who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, served as emcee.

Participating dignitaries included:

  • Reverend Deacon Rosemary Bishop
  • Mayor Naheed Nenshi
  • Calgary Skyview MP Jag Sahota
  • Calgary Fish Creek MLA Richard Gotfried
  • Calgary Fire Department active Deputy Chief Peter Seenaerts

Mayor Nenshi says his initial concerns regarding the spirit of the ceremony amidst a pandemic proved unwarranted.

"I thought I'd be very sad today because I'm so used to being at a big ceremony with a lot of veterans  and today we were in a large and largely empty room, but luckily being broadcast," said Nenshi. "But, in fact, it was good.

"Having that service of remembrance and saying 'We will remember them' and having the moment of silence and the bugle and the bagpipes at 11 a.m. reminded me that it doesn't matter who you're with. What matters is that act of service, that act of remembrance, that act of understanding the sacrifice that has been made and rededicating ourselves to building a better future."

The Hangar Flight Museum was open to the public Wednesday afternoon by donation. Guests were required to pre-register for an online ticket at The Hangar Flight Museum.