Legion members, cadets, city staff and members of the Kelowna public gathered at the cenotaph at 1 p.m. on Nov. 3 to open the annual Field of Crosses display. 

The 240 white crosses each hold the name of a person with ties to the Kelowna area who died in the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and United Nations Peacekeeping Missions. 

Military Historian with the Okanagan Military Museum Keith Boehmer hosted the opening ceremony. He said the Field of Crosses is not only a public display, but an educational tool used by Central Okanagan Public Schools.

"We're booked for about 460 students this week," Boehmer said. 

Participating middle school classes each receive a folder with documents related to the names found on the crosses. Students are tasked with learning about the individual, like finding out where they lived and who their parents were, before a class trip to the cenotaph and the Field of Crosses.

The opening ceremony included the singing of O Canada, the laying of a wreath at the cross of the Unknown Soldier, and a moment of silence.

A closing ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. on Nov. 10. The crosses will remain on display until Nov. 12.