Niagara Falls Blog

Reading Time: 3 minutes -

Honoring Heroes on Remembrance Day in Niagara Falls

Remembrance Day in Niagara Falls is a solemn occasion that serves as a heartfelt tribute to the brave men and women of our armed forces who made the ultimate sacrifice since World War I. This day, observed on November 11th, marks the end of hostilities in World War I in 1918. The significance of this date is emphasized by the fact that hostilities officially ceased “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.”

The red remembrance poppy, inspired by the poignant poem “In Flanders Fields,” has become a universal symbol of Remembrance Day. These vibrant red flowers bloomed amidst the devastating battlefields of Flanders during World War I, a fitting representation of the bloodshed during the war.

City of Niagara Falls Remembrance Day Service

The City of Niagara Falls hosts a Remembrance Day Service to honor the memory of these fallen heroes. This service, held at the Cenotaph beside the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Fairview Cemetery, provides a platform for local veterans’ associations to participate. Mayor Diodati and Members of City Council will be there to show their respect.

This year, the service will continue its tradition of being held outdoors on November 11, 2023, starting at 10:45 a.m. For those who cannot attend in person, the service will be live-streamed, allowing residents to join this solemn occasion from their computers or mobile devices. The live stream will be accessible on November 11, 2023, starting at 10:45 a.m. right here:

Here is a List of Additional Remembrance Day Events Throughout the Region of Niagara:

Services
Municipality	Location	Service date and time
Grimsby	Royal Canadian Legion – Grimsby Branch 127 Cenotaph – Grimsby Museum 6 Murray St.	Saturday, Nov. 11 10:30 a.m.
Lincoln	Royal Canadian Legion – Beamsville Branch 612 Cenotaph – Jordan Lion’s Park 2769 Fourth Ave., Jordan Station	Wednesday, Nov. 8 10:45 a.m.
Lincoln	Royal Canadian Legion – Beamsville Branch 612 Cenotaph – Jacob Beam School 4300 William St., Beamsville	Saturday, Nov. 11 10:45 a.m.
Niagara-on-the-Lake	Royal Canadian Legion – Niagara-on-the-Lake Branch 124 Cenotaph – Queen Street	Saturday, Nov. 11 10:45 a.m.
Niagara-on-the-Lake	Royal Canadian Legion – Niagara-on-the-Lake Branch 124 Cenotaph – Queenston Memorial Intersection at Niagara Parkway and Queenston Street, Queenston	Saturday, Nov. 11 12:30 p.m.
Pelham	Royal Canadian Legion – Branch 613 Veterans Park 141 Hwy. 20 E, Fonthill	Saturday, Nov. 11 10:45 a.m.
Port Colborne	Royal Canadian Legion – Port Colborne Branch 56 Cenotaph – H.H. Knoll Lakeview Park 160 Sugarloaf St. Branch 56 is hosting a light lunch at noon at 67 Clarence St. Watch the ceremony later in the day on the City of Port Colborne website and social media channels	Saturday, Nov. 11 10:30 a.m.
St. Catharines	Royal Canadian Legion Branch 418 10 a.m. – Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Oblate St. 11 a.m. – Wreath laying ceremony at Canadian Polish Society, 43 Facer St. followed by greetings from federal, provincial and municipal governments	Sunday, Nov. 5 11 a.m.
St. Catharines	Lincoln and Welland Regiment Cenotaph – Memorial Park 6 St. Paul St. W Wreath laying ceremony with the Duchess of Kent, Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones	Sunday, Nov. 5 10:30 a.m.
St. Catharines	Royal Canadian Legion Branch 350 Cenotaph – Main and Ann streets 10:15 a.m. – Short service at Port Dalhousie Legion, 57 Lakeport Rd. 10:25 a.m. – Parade to the Cenotaph 11 a.m. – Wreath laying ceremony and greetings	Sunday, Nov. 5 11 a.m.
St. Catharines	Royal Canadian Legion – St. Catharines Branch 24 Cenotaph – Memorial Park, 6 St. Paul St. W 10 a.m. – Gather at City Hall, 50 Church St. with wreath laying at the Honour Rolls and the Legion Cenotaph 10:30 a.m. – Parade to Cenotaph 10:45 a.m. – Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph	Saturday, Nov. 11 10:45 a.m.
St. Catharines	Royal Canadian Legion – St. Catharines Branch 138 Cenotaph – Memorial Park Merritt Street and Walnut Street 10:30 a.m. – Gather at Merritton Legion, 2 Chestnut St. E followed by parade to Cenotaph 11 a.m. – Remembrance Day service at Cenotaph	Saturday, Nov. 11 11 a.m.
Thorold	Royal Canadian Legion – Thorold Branch 17 Cenotaph – Memorial Park 13 Albert St. E	Saturday, Nov. 11 10:55 a.m.
Welland	Cenotaph – Chippawa Park Welland Crowland War Memorial, 128 Fitch St.	Saturday, Nov. 11 10:30 a.m.
Welland	Royal Canadian Legion – Welland Branch 4 383 Morningstar Ave.	Saturday, Nov. 11 10:30 a.m.
West Lincoln	Royal Canadian Legion – Smithville Branch 393 Cenotaph – 172 St. Catharines St., Smithville 10:30 a.m. – Ceremony followed by a free lunch by the Branch 393 Ladies Auxiliary	Saturday, Nov. 11 10:30 a.m.

Reading Time: 3 minutes -

We had a wonderful couple stay with us at the Clifton Hill Niagara Falls Hotel the past couple of days. Harold and Virginia Hinder from Columbus, Ohio, just celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary in Niagara Falls, the very spot where they honeymooned years earlier. While the land has drastically changed, the Falls remained timeless…just like their love for one another.

Their whole family was on hand to mark this special occasion, along with the Niagara Falls Mayor, Jim Diodati, the Comfort Inn Clifton Hill owner, Philip Oakes, Reporter Tony Ricciuto from the Niagara Falls Review, and myself.

I wanted to make sure that I was there for their arrival at the hotel, so I headed down to the lobby to greet the Hinders and their family. I had an opportunity to speak to the two of them before the Mayor arrived (which they had no idea was about to happen). Their actual wedding anniversary date was on April 17th, but this was the only opportunity they had to make the trip that included the whole family. Family is extremely important to them, which makes that common bond between the two of them a solid foundation for how their marriage has withstood all the up’s and down’s that it typically brings.

“If things don’t go right, you just have to work it out,” they told Tony Ricciuto, Niagara Falls Review.

Virginia told me that they managed to bring twelve of their family members along for the ride, and it wasn’t until the following morning that I met the last two grandchildren. They just received their passports that Monday morning so they weren’t able to arrive until later that evening.

One thing that stood out to me immediately was how friendly and welcoming the whole family was. When Niagara Falls Mayor, Jim Diodati arrived to greet the Hinders, he graciously welcomed them back to where it all began with a certificate, various gifts, and a gave Harold a pin right off his shirt when the 88-year old inquired about it. It was a touching experience to witness how such a kind gesture could impact a couple that stated “I could not have asked for anyone to treat us any better.”

After they took a few pictures around the fireplace with Jim Diodati, cameras were flinging around from all angles to take turns with the whole family, Jim Diodati, Philip Oakes and myself. Within minutes, you literally felt like part of the family and it was then that you realized that’s exactly how this lovely couple has kept their love alive for 65 years (and counting)!

Togetherness, family, and living life to the fullest, all while meeting new people and experiencing new and exciting challenges has not only strengthened their bond, but kept them young at heart.

*Pictured Above: Harold and Virginia Hinder with Niagara Falls Mayor, Jim Diodati*

*Pictured Above: The moment when Jim Diodati presented the Hinder’s with a certificate. Very touching moment!*

Congratulations to Harold and Virginia Hinder and it was a pleasure to have welcomed them to the Comfort Inn Clifton Hill and we hoped that they enjoyed their 65th Wedding Anniversary in Niagara Falls!

For more on their story click here for Tony Ricciuto’s article in the Niagara Falls Review.