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Flag-raising ceremony to honour military service in Saint John

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A flag-raising ceremony will be held at the Standing Ready Monument on the Saint John waterfront to honour the service and sacrifice of Canada’s military personnel and their families.

The ceremony, scheduled for 11 a.m. on May 3, will bring together veterans, serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, community leaders, and members of the public. The event will include a formal flag raising, remarks from invited guests, a moment of silence, rain or shine.

The event also marks the 233rd anniversary of the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, The Loyal Company, Royal Canadian Artillery, and its longstanding service to Saint John and Canada.

The regiment traces its origins to May 4, 1793, when the Loyal Company was formed in Saint John in response to the threat of attack by French privateers. In 1838, artillery batteries across the province were unified as the New Brunswick Regiment of Artillery, establishing what is now recognized as the oldest continuously serving artillery unit in Canada.

The ceremony will be an opportunity for reflection while recognizing those who continue to serve today.

Poppy flag raising Thunder Bay

Slovak Legion raises poppy flag for remembrance

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The Royal Canadian Legion launches its National Poppy Campaign today to prepare for Remembrance Day.

Proceeds of poppies sold between now and November 11 will go towards various services for helping Canadian veterans.

In Thunder Bay, the Royal Canadian Slovak Legion (Branch 129) commemorated the occasion with its annual raising of the poppy flag at city hall.

“People got short memories,” says Slovak Legion member Roderick Mackay. “You got to do this every year, otherwise it’s just gone.”

Mackay says the poppy is to remind the public of people who have died in Canada’s armed conflicts.

Mackay spent decades in the Canadian army reserves as a regimental sergeant major.

“For the guys like me, I remember all the guys I served with. They didn’t get killed in battle and stuff, but they put their part in it,” Mackay remarks.

Mayor Ken Boshcoff presided over the raising of the flag.

“I think it’s vital that those Legion representatives who came here today, who’ve been doing this for decades… know that the city has their back,” the mayor says.

As Boshcoff will not be running for re-election, this will be his last flag-raising as mayor.

“It’s kind of emotional, I’ll say that,” he says. Boshcoff intends to continue being present for the ceremonies after his tenure.

Mayor Ken Boshcoff watches as members of the Slovak Legion march past. (Sam Goldstein/October 31, 2025)

“You know, people have got to count their blessings. We live in the best country in the world. It didn’t get there by accident,” Boschoff adds.