Between six and seven thousand people will make their way to SaskTel Centre tomorrow for the 2024 edition of Saskatoon’s Official Remembrance Day Program.

Malcolm Young, veteran and Chair of Saskatoon’s Remembrance Day Committee, says from what he’s heard, Saskatoon holds the indoor service in Canada. This years’ service will be unique as 2024 marks the 100th Anniversary of the formation of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

“Saskatchewan’s connection to the Air Force is very strong, not just because of the base at Moose Jaw and the Snowbirds, but the fact that we’ve had thousands of young Saskatchewanians serve in the Air Force over the years as pilots, navigators, observers, ground crew.”

The service of two veterans will be commemorated at the ceremony: 102-year-old Flight Lieutenant Stan Hodgins and Warrant Officer Al Boyce.

“(Hodgins) was a navigator with 113 and 436 squadrons in the Second World War. It’s rare that you have somebody who served on two squadrons…Officer Al Boyce is a new generation veteran of sorts. Al served for 26 years, and he is a veteran of the Gulf War.”

This year, the service starts with a pre-parade program at 9:45, followed by the parade commencing at 10:30a.m. For those who can’t make it, it will also be aired at www.saskatoonremembers.ca and Rogers TV channels 10 and 105.

Young says if for some reason you can’t attend or watch the service, veterans everywhere will appreciate you taking two minutes of silence to reflect on what service and sacrifice mean to you.