Banner campaign pays tribute to past and present service members 

Cobourg, ON (October 25, 2024) – The Town of Cobourg’s Community Services Division, in partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 133, is privileged to share the launch of a program honouring local veterans.

Town staff have been working with the Legion, gathering information and photos of local veterans to display on downtown street banners. The banners serve as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by those who have served our country.

In its first year, the banner campaign will feature 45 local veterans, representing both past and present service members. The banners will be on display along King Street and downtown Cobourg in time for Remembrance Day. Individual banners have been made possible thanks to the donation of local community members who wish to honour the memory and contribution of their family and friends.

Town staff will be installing the banners starting Friday, October 25, 2024, and they will be on display until November 18. Members of the community are invited to take a stroll through downtown to see the banners. To learn more about the stories behind each banner, follow Experience Cobourg on social media, where Town staff will be sharing insights and narratives that highlight the significance of these commemorations.

The Town of Cobourg is grateful to the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 133 for their partnership in this program. The Town of Cobourg hopes to see the banner program grow as people learn about this unique opportunity to pay tribute to those who have put their lives in danger to protect our freedoms.

Individuals interested in honouring a past or present service member through the banner campaign can email poppy@cobourglegion.ca

2024 Remembrance Day Ceremony:
The annual Town of Cobourg Remembrance Day ceremony will take place at the Victoria Park Cenotaph on November 11.The parade will form up at 10:00 a.m. in front of the Legion on Orr St. and will parade north on Hibernia, east on King Street, and south on McGill Street to the park. Cobourg Police Services will support the parade with rolling road closures.  The Remembrance Day ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Poppy Campaign:
Every year, from the last Friday of October to November 11, tens of millions of Canadians wear a Poppy as a visual pledge to honour Canada’s Veterans and remember those who sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today. 

Donations collected during the Poppy Campaign are held in Trust at the branch level to directly support Veterans and their families within their community. Funds may be used for grants for food, heating and housing, medical appliances and equipment, home repairs and emergency shelter and assistance.

Legion Dinner:
The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 133 will once again be hosting a Remembrance Day dinner. Cocktails start at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 for nonservice members and are on sale at the Legion bar located at 135B Orr Street.

Walk Through Cobourg’s Military History with the Poppy Trail:
The Poppy Trail, self guided tour, invites participants to savour charming period architecture and streetscapes while learning about Cobourg’s significant war time contributions.

A virtual tour booklet is available on ExperienceCobourg.ca to use as a guide.