**Lest We Forget:** Local residents attended this morning’s Remembrance Day service at the Beach cenotaph in Kew Gardens park on Queen Street East. Photo by Matthew Stephens.

East Toronto residents took part in Remembrance Day ceremonies this morning (Wednesday, Nov. 11) in the Beach and East York.

The Beach ceremony was held at the Kew Gardens cenotaph on Queen Street East. This year, 2026, marks the 80th anniversary of the cenotaph in the Beach and the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion.

Legion members organized both the Beach and East York Remembrance Day ceremonies which included two minutes of silence, the singing of hymns and anthems, and the laying of wreaths.

The East York ceremony was held in the East York Civic Centre’s Memorial Gardens on Coxwell Avenue.

Playing music at the Beach ceremony was the Ulster Accordion Band.

Playing music and singing at the East York ceremony was the band and choir from East York Collegiate Institute.

Large crowds turned out at both ceremonies to pay tribute to those who gave their lives for Canada’s freedom and to honour all of those who have served in defence of our country.

The sacrifices made by Canadians during the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, peacekeeping missions and other conflicts including Afghanistan are honoured at Remembrance Day services.

Remembrance Day is held at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, as that is when the Armistice was declared to mark the end of the First World War.

Beach Metro Community News’ Matthew Stephens was at the Beach ceremony and his photos are below: