Small town, big legacy — how Sidney, B.C. keeps WWII history alive
V-E Day Tribute: What Happened in Sidney
V-E Day Tribute: Sidney Leads with Heart and History
On May 8, 2025, the community of Sidney, British Columbia, hosted a heartfelt V-E Day tribute to mark 80 years since the end of World War II in Europe. Organized by Royal Canadian Legion Branch #37, the event brought residents together to remember Canada’s contribution to peace and freedom.
Bagpipes played Amazing Grace. A fresh wreath was placed at the cenotaph. Citizens stood in silence to reflect on the cost of war.
Related: Why Canada’s Role in WWII Still Shapes Our Identity
Why It Still Matters After Eight Decades
While V-E Day marks a global turning point, its meaning still resonates in small towns. In Sidney, people gather not out of routine, but from purpose.
Ryan Trelford, president of Sidney’s Legion, shared:
“I’m 29. These fellows gave everything at an even younger age. We must remember them.”
Councillor Scott Garnett spoke about his father’s Air Force service. He stressed how critical it is for youth to learn about the past:
“This history is dark and painful, but we must teach it so it never repeats.”
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V-E Day Tribute: Connecting Local Memory to Global Reality
Reverend Erik Trovall, Sidney Legion’s chaplain, urged people to act. He reminded the audience that institutions built after WWII—like the UN and NATO—must be protected.
His message: peace isn’t permanent. People must preserve it through awareness, education, and civic engagement.
Conflicts today—from Ukraine to Gaza—show that peace remains fragile. A V-E Day tribute isn’t just a ritual. It’s a call for vigilance.
See also: Canada’s Role in Global Peacekeeping
A Moment to Reflect, A Future to Guard
Legion Vice President Kenny Podmore closed the event with a powerful reading of In Flanders Fields. His voice carried not just words, but a warning and a wish.
Sidney’s tribute reminded the crowd why we still gather, still teach, and still care.
These events are more than tradition. They are tools for national memory and moral strength.
Why the V-E Day Tribute in Sidney Still Matters
In fast-changing times, stories like Sidney’s help anchor us. This community doesn’t forget. It remembers, teaches, and honors—so the rest of us can live free.
