Remembrance Day 2025 Program for the City of Windsor
The City of Windsor has a proud tradition of gathering with local Veterans throughout the year to pay respects to those who have fallen in military service as well as all those who continue to serve today. This year, the City partners once again with the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee, local military representatives, Windsor Police Service, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 255, area elementary schools, and others for a meaningful Remembrance Day program.
Windsor’s Official Remembrance Day Service:
Tuesday, November 11, 2025, beginning at approximately 10:50 a.m. Representatives of the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee, military representatives, pre-registered wreath bearers, government officials, area schools, and the public will attend the Cenotaph at City Hall Square in Windsor for an outdoor service. The service will be shared via Facebook livestream on the City of Windsor’s Facebook page. YourTV Cogeco will record the service and broadcast the full ceremony throughout the day at 1:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. on November 11, 2025.
Organizations and individuals wishing to lay a wreath at the Remembrance Day Service this year must pre-register with Ms. Bonnie Burian, Secretary of the Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee, at 519-973-4057 by phone or at bburian@cogeco.ca by email. Those who do not pre-register will not be called upon during the service. Please note that you may be requested to lay your wreath personally on site after 1 p.m. on November 11, 2025.
Window Decals and Illuminations at City Hall and in Downtown Windsor
As part of the City’s commemoration initiatives, large window decals honouring Remembrance Day with images from the Canadian War Museum will once again be on display on the main floor of City Hall at 350 City Hall Square West for the month of November. From November 3 to 14, 2025, City Hall will also be illuminated in red each night in honour of our Veterans. New this year, look for special illuminations across City Hall Square and the façade of the building facing the Cenotaph.
Additionally, during that same time, the decorative lighting along sections of Ouellette Avenue will also be illuminated in red and white each night.
“In Flanders Fields” at City Council
The City Council meeting scheduled for Monday, November 10, 2025, will begin with the playing of a video recording of “In Flanders Fields” presented by Mr. Paul LaRocque’s grade 4/5 class from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Elementary School in Windsor.
Museum Windsor Programming:
Museum Windsor will mark Remembrance Day on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, with a special program that includes:
Free admission at the Chimczuk Museum from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Opening of the new “Remembering the Brave: Indigenous Veterans Through History” exhibit. This small display focuses on the contributions of local Indigenous Veterans during times of conflict.
Opening of the temporary display created by Western University students: “Windsor's First World War in 13 Objects” featuring photographic reproductions from the Ley and Lois Smith Collection in the History Department at Western University undertaken as part of a project to raise awareness of Remembrance Day by sharing some of its treasures.
Staff-guided free tour of Dieppe Gardens military monuments at 2:00 p.m. Registration is not required, and guests are asked to gather in the lobby of the Chimczuk Museum for the 2:00 p.m. start time.
Poppy-themed crafts for youth will be available in the Hands-On-History Gallery.
For more information on Museum Windsor, call 519-253-1812, or visit www.MuseumWindsor.ca. Art Windsor-Essex (AWE) will also offer free admission to the gallery on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. For information on current exhibitions and programming at the gallery, visit www.ArtWindsorEssex.ca.
Veterans Banner Project and NEW Commemorative Painted Sidewalk
Everyone is encouraged to visit the Olde Riverside section of Wyandotte Street where street banners are once again on display through the end of November 2025 showing the names, dates, and other commemorative information about some of the Veterans with connections to our community. This project, now in its fourth year, has approximately 40 banners on display. The project is led by Marty Flanagan and is a partnership between the Olde Riverside Town Centre Business Improvement Association (BIA), the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 255, and ENWIN.
New this year, the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) Branch 255, in partnership with the City of Windsor, has installed commemorative markings fronting its property at 5645 Wyandotte Street East. The design, provided by Branch 255, consists of a section of municipal sidewalk painted red-and-white, approximately 70 feet in length, featuring the phrase “Lest We Forget” with an image of a soldier on one knee at each end. Two local businesses provided their support for this pilot project: the stencil which outlines the lettering and soldier was fabricated by E-W Metal Works (1950) Inc., with background paints provided by MAC Coatings (est.1952). Installation was made possible through a partnership between RCL Branch 255; the City of Windsor; and Ward 6 Councillor Jo-Anne Gignac and Ward 8 Councillor Gary Kaschak, who each contributed ward funds towards the commemorative installation.
A ceremonial “first walk” was held Friday, October 31, 2025, to unveil the new installation ahead of upcoming Remembrance Day commemorations in the community.
We Remember Their Stories:
From November 3 to 10, 2025, previously recorded videos will be shared online highlighting local Veterans reflecting on their service, stories, and comrades. Many of these videos were produced through the Veterans Memories Project created by the Windsor Historical Society. The recordings will be shared via the City of Windsor’s Facebook page and Mayor Dilkens’ Facebook page.
“Nôtinikêw: Going to War” – Windsor Classic Chorale
Music Director Bruce Kotowich. Saturday, November 8, 2025. 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. St. Andrew’s United Church. Tuesday, November 11, 2025. 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Paulin Memorial Presbyterian Church.
The Windsor Classic Chorale has a longstanding tradition of presenting a concert every November to honour those who gave their lives during the First and Second World Wars so that we might live in freedom today. This year, the WCC is proud to present a program commemorating these sacrifices in song with such works as Nôtinikêw: Going to War. The work is by Andrew Balfour, a Canadian composer of Cree descent who is known for his innovative and spiritually driven works, including the anti-war oratorio Nôtinikêw: Going to War. Nôtinikêw, which means “Going to War,” explores the stories of Indigenous soldiers who served in Canadian wars, particularly World War I, and the hardships they faced both on the battlefield and upon their return home. Tickets are available at https://windsorclassicchorale.org/notinikew-going-to-war/ and there will be a reception immediately following the performance.
Quotes:
“The City of Windsor’s annual Remembrance Day program continues to provide many opportunities to pay our respects, pause and reflect, and say thank you to the selfless men and women who fought to leave our world safer and better than they found it, as well as all those serving today. From the images and stories on display in the windows of City Hall, light installations at City Hall Square, and exhibitions at Museum Windsor… to community choir performances, street banners and a new commemorative sidewalk installation, there are many ways to remember our Veterans this year. As always, I look forward to gathering as a community on November 11 to observe Remembrance Day at the Cenotaph, where we commit to honouring our Veterans and keeping their stories and memories alive and their legacies forever in our hearts. We will remember them.” - Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens
“On November 11, as we should every day, we remember those who volunteered, sacrificed, served, fought and died for our freedom. We will never forget them. Once more this year, we welcome everyone to gather at the Cenotaph in downtown Windsor to remember. If you are unable to attend or to watch online, then please observe a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m., or visit one of our many city monuments or Veterans sections of your local cemetery. There are many ways to join as a community to honour our heroes. We will remember. We will never forget.” - Paul Lauzon, Windsor Veterans Memorial Services Committee
“We are proud of our Veterans Banner Project. It brings an intimate element to Remembrance Day in Windsor, with the photos on the banners that line Wyandotte. It reminds us of the human sacrifice that comes with serving.” - Marty Flanagan, Executive Committee, RCL Branch 255
“We are happy to partner with the City of Windsor on the Veteran Sidewalk initiative. Combined with our Veterans Banner Project, these initiatives help to promote remembrance year round to ensure those who served and lost their lives are never forgotten.” - Bruce Tribute, President, Executive Committee, RCL Branch 255