Remembrance Day goes digital to help Manitobans pay respects

Remembrance Day ceremonies are taking a hit as COVID-19 restrictions shut down large gatherings, so the province ofManitoba is going digital to help people pay their respects.

Although people won't be able to visit the26-metre-long blanket made of over 8,000 hand-sewn poppiesthat will be displayedon the grand staircase of the Manitoba Legislative Building, images of it will be posted and available to the public as part of the2020 "Manitoba Remembers"campaign.

The province will also share imagesfrom communities around Manitoba of upgraded and refurbished memorials dedicated to veterans, according to a Friday news release from the province.

And a digital photo frame, honouring Remembrance Day, will be available for people to use on their Facebook profile photos.Search for "Manitoba Remembers" in the "add photo frame" tab under "edit profile picture" on Facebook.

Theefforts are being made in conjunction with the Royal Canadian Legion, whichhas turned toonline methods to support legions and veterans, includinga way to create a personalized digital poppy.

WATCH |Drive-thru poppy sale raises funds for veterans:

Drive-thru poppy sale raises funds for veterans

4 years ago

Duration 2:45

Winnipeg's group size limits mean crowds of poppy-wearing people won't be gathering this year, but that isn't stopping Ken Onagi from trying to help raise money for veterans.

"We owe veterans our gratitude and respect, but under COVID-19 we cannot gather together to show them our appreciation as we have in the past," Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Cathy Cox said in a news release.

"We must not let this moment pass and I ask all Manitobans to join with us in taking a few moments to think about their sacrifice."

The provincial Archives of Manitobais also inviting the public to look at exhibits and digitized copies of records available online.

It plans to highlightseveral resources, including letters from Manitoba soldiers who served in the First World War and a Manitoba government film that documents how Manitobans contributed to the war effort during the Second World War.