The Royal Canadian Legion in Chatham will hold a public "celebration of life" to remember the late Queen Elizabeth II on Monday.
Chatham Legion First Vice President Eric Moulton said Legion members will form up at the Legion on William Street in Chatham at 10:45 a.m. and march down King Street to the downtown Cenotaph for a remembrance service starting at 11 a.m. Moulton said local Legion members, police, and firefighters will parade and lay wreaths at the Cenotaph.
Moulton said it will be a solemn tribute, adding the Queen served Britain and the Commonwealth well.
"She means everything, she was a veteran of the Second World War and we are here for all veterans. She meant a lot to Canada and she is the patron of the Legion in Canada," said Moulton.
Moulton said he was at the Legion in Chatham when news of the Queen's death broke and admits it took him by surprise.
"We immediately went out and lowered the flags and put a black drape over all the pictures of the Queen. We didn't expect it that's for sure after seeing her meet the new Prime Minister of England a few days earlier. It was hard to see," he added.
The Chatham Legion is now waiting to get an official portrait of King Charles III to display at the Legion before taking down the Queen's portrait, saying the King will get the same respect the Queen got at the Legion.
Her Majesty's funeral is at 6 a.m. local time on Monday.