Calgary·Photos

Thousands of candles light crosses in remembrance of Alberta's war dead

Thousands of white crosses along Memorial Drive in Calgary were illuminated by candlelight on Tuesday, paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Each cross represents a southern Alberta soldier killed in action

Sunset ceremony at Calgary's Field of Crosses

4 years ago
Duration 0:31
The second annual Night of Lights saw volunteers work throughout the day to place candles at the foot of each of the more than 3,500 crosses that make up the five-acre memorial field.

Thousands of white crosses along Memorial Drive in Calgary were illuminated by candlelight on Tuesday, paying tribute to those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

The second annual Night of Lights saw volunteers work throughout the day to place candles at the foot of each of the more than 3,500 crosses that make up the five-acre memorial field.

  • CBC Calgary will be livestreaming the Remembrance Day ceremony from the Military Museums at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, on our CBC Calgary website and Facebook page.

Each cross represents a southern Alberta soldier killed in action, and is inscribed with their name, age at death, rank, regiment and date of death. More crosses have been added each year thanks to volunteers' research, or inquiries from families. 

The candles were set to burn throughout the night and into Remembrance Day.

Candles are lit along the Field of Crosses in Calgary on Nov. 10, 2020. (Leah Hennel/CBC)
A visitor stands among the Field of Crosses in Calgary on Nov. 10, 2020. (Leah Hennel for CBC)
The more than 3,500 crosses are to mourn southern Albertans who have died in the line of duty. (Leah Hennel for CBC)
Lisa Joseph wears a poppy mask during a distanced ceremony at the Field of Crosses in Calgary on Nov. 10, 2020. (Leah Hennel for CBC)
(Leah Hennel for CBC)
(Leah Hennel for CBC)
(Leah Hennel for CBC)
Members of Cantare Children's Choir perform during the Night of Lights in Calgary on Nov. 10, 2020. (Leah Hennel for CBC)
A member of the RCMP salutes during a ceremony at the Field of Crosses in Calgary on Nov. 10, 2020. (Leah Hennel for CBC)
(Leah Hennel for CBC)

Due to the pandemic, the Remembrance Day ceremony will be livestreamed. The field will be closed to the public between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Remembrance Day, and after that will be open to 100 visitors at a time.