Abnash Gill has lived in Coquitlam for the past 42 years but only started going to the Legion's Remembrance Day services six years ago.
The grandmother said she wanted to have deeper connection to the place where she has raised her children and to honour those who sacrificed their lives.
But last year, inspired by the research by Surrey historian Steven Purewal, Gill found an even stronger reason to attend the Nov. 11 ceremony.
Purewal, the founder of the non-profit society Indus Media Foundation Canada, unveiled a new exhibit to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the First World War: a display that focused on the half-million WWI troops from India.
For years, Purewal has amassed artifacts to weave the story of the Sikh soldiers who fought alongside the Canadians under the Commonwealth banner; 74,000 Indian soldiers died and 66,000 Canadians perished on the Western Front.
Purewal said the Indian regiments have been underrepresented in the historical narrative of WWI — especially in high school studies — despite the large Punjabi population today in the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island.
Gill said Purewal's "re-discovery" has opened her eyes and she wants to be part of a groundswell to teach local residents about the Indian war effort.
"Ever since I found this out last year, I got very excited about it," she said. "It makes me feel that I have a stronger connection to Canada and I want my children and grandchildren to learn, belong and take pride in where they come from."
Next Wednesday, for the first time in the city's history, Gill will lay a wreath at the base of the Coquitlam cenotaph during the Remembrance Day service on behalf of the Sikhs in Coquitlam and in the Lower Mainland.
"I believe now is the time to pay respect," she said.
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Services will be held in the Tri-Cities on Remembrance Day:
COQUITLAM
• 9:30 a.m.: Legion Branch 263 starts ceremony at Como Lake middle school (1121 King Albert Ave.)
• 10 a.m.: Legion members parade along Winslow Avenue to the cenotaph on Veterans’ Way
• 10:40 a.m.: Service begins
• 11:30 a.m.: Veterans, police and firefighters parade to the Legion branch (1025 Ridgeway Ave.).
PORT COQUITLAM
• 9:30 a.m.: Legion Branch 133 hosts an indoor service at Wilson Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.)
• 10:15 a.m.: Veterans and members parade along Wilson Avenue to the cenotaph at city hall
• 10:55 a.m.: Service begins at Veterans Park (at city hall)
• noon: Legion open house (children welcome); Wilson Centre reception for families
PORT MOODY
• 10 a.m.: Legion Branch 119 hosts a non-denominational service at Kyle Centre (125 Kyle St.)
• 10:30 a.m.: Form up at Legion and parade to cenotaph (2513 Clarke St.)
• 11 a.m.: Service begins (21-gun cannon salute, Swiftbird ex-RAF team cenotaph flyover)
• 12:30 to 7 p.m.: Entertainment at Kyle Centre (adults only)
BELCARRA
• 10:35 a.m.: Port Moody Power and Sail Squadron begins its service at the Belcarra Regional Park dock with the sounding of an air raid siren
• 11:30 a.m.: Chili lunch served for $5 at the picnic shelter
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PUBLIC ACTIVITIES
Get your blades on for a Remembrance Day skate next Wednesday at the Port Coquitlam rec complex green arena. The event runs from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. Nov. 11. Regular admission rates apply.
Or, for youth wanting to practise their hockey skills, the blue rink will be open for kids four to 12 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and, for teens aged 13 to 18, from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. Admission costs $4 per person.
