Each year on November 11th, communities across Canada pause to reflect on the courage, service, and sacrifice of those who have served in our armed forces. Locally, residents have several meaningful opportunities to participate in Remembrance Day ceremonies, whether in person or from home.
In Saskatoon, the 94th annual Remembrance Day Service will take place at SaskTel Centre. Doors open at 8:45am, with musical performances by a local orchestra beginning at 9:30am. The official program starts at 10:00am, followed by the moment of silence at 11:00am and the wreath-laying ceremony immediately after.
The service is free to attend and open to the public, offering an opportunity for residents to come together in unity and remembrance. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be streamed live at saskatoonremembers.ca, ensuring everyone can take part in honouring Canada’s veterans.
Each year, a dedicated volunteer committee made up of Veterans’ organizations, Canadian Armed Forces members, and community groups comes together to organize the Saskatoon ceremony. This year’s theme focuses on “Service and Sacrifice,” commemorating two significant milestones in military history.
2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, a conflict in which more than 12,000 Saskatchewan citizens served, many of whom are no longer with us, to share their stories. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. In May 2000, the remains of a Canadian soldier killed during the Battle of Vimy Ridge were repatriated and laid to rest in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa, beside the National War Memorial. That soldier has come to symbolize more than 27,000 Canadians who lost their lives in service and have no known grave, including thousands from Saskatchewan.
This year’s service will pay special tribute to four service members with connections to Saskatoon whose remains were never found, honouring their sacrifice and the families who continue to remember them.
The program will also highlight the story of Amy and Michael James, a military couple whose family’s service to Canada spans generations. Their own decades of dedication reflect a deep-rooted tradition of military service dating back to 1866. For them, Remembrance Day is especially meaningful, as they honour the memory of loved ones who served in the Second World War 80 years ago.
For those wishing to observe the day closer to home, the City of Warman will host its annual Remembrance Day Ceremony beginning at 10:30am at the Warman Home Centre Communiplex. The event is open to the public and will also be live-streamed on the city’s YouTube channel, offering an accessible way for residents to participate virtually.
Whether you attend a service in Saskatoon, gather in Warman, or pause for a private moment of silence at home, Remembrance Day remains a time to honour the sacrifices that secured our freedom and to ensure those who served are never forgotten.
