Many local organizations are stepping up to honour fallen soldiers by standing guard in a 150-hour vigil leading up to Remembrance Day, but there are still 40 hours left to be filled.
“CK Keeping 150” is an event planned by Christ Church in Chatham, which calls upon the community to stand or sit on guard at the Chatham Cenotaph from 6am on November 5 to 12pm on November 11.
Reverend Mark Sceviour says the vigil is in honour of Canada’s 150th anniversary, as well as the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge and the 75th anniversary of the raid on Dieppe.
"I'm overwhelmed by service groups and youth groups with how much they're stepping up. Our air cadets and army cadets are taking on almost 20 hours by themselves. I would like to see the business side of our community take on something equally as momentous," explains Sceviour.
Sceviour says a "wonderful cross section of Chatham-Kent" has signed up so far, including Chatham-Kent Police Service honour guards and a dragon boat racing team.
However, he points out that only one business has signed up so far. He is hoping more business will sign up in the coming weeks leading up to Remembrance Day.
"One of our largest employers in town could maybe say, 'We can easily do three to four shifts ourselves with the number of employees we have.' I would say if we have ten businesses step up we'd cover the final 40 hours rather easily," says Sceviour.
Any organizations or businesses that are interested are asked to contact the Christ Church at (519)-352-1640.
