The City is partnering with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 39 to host “Bells of Peace” honouring the Armistice of November 11, 1918. On November 11, Lloydminster’s clock tower will ring 100 times in homage of the bell that rang 100 years ago marking the end of World War I.
The gathering will take place around 4:15 pm on Remembrance Day at the clock tower. The bell will begin to ring at approximately 4:30 pm. Mayor Gerald Aalbers says with no veterans remaining among us, the community must continue to find ways to honour those who were in the Great War.
“The Bells of Peace initiative that the legion has approached the city regarding will give people the opportunity to come out and pay their respects in a different format from the traditional Remembrance Day. We’re going to celebrate 100 years since the Armistice was signed. This is only going to happen once in our lifetime.”
The initiative will happen across the country with communities showing their respect towards fallen soldiers. Aalbers says a few churches and businesses in Lloydminster will be taking part in bell ringing as well. Legion No.39 poppy chairman Elain Malle says a large portion of Canadian families were affected during WWI.
“If you look at the back page where we read out the roll of honour there is almost double the names, World War I from this community, from this community alone that went in World War I compared to World War II so this is a huge honour for them.”
Residents can also attend the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony at 10:30 am at Lloydminster Comp.