Thousands of people lined the streets around the National War Memorial at Confederation Square Nov. 11 to remember the men and women who gave their lives for their country.
People of all ages gathered with veterans and servicemen to observe the ceremony in downtown Ottawa and pause for a solemn moment of silence at 11 a.m.
The silence was broken as sounds of trumpets rose above the crowd and fighter jets roared overhead, followed closely by a formation of helicopters. Prayers and songs were played throughout the ceremony, as the crowd shuffled to try and get a better look at what was going on.
Captain Donald MacLellan, a serviceman recently posted in Ottawa, said Ottawa’s ceremony wasn’t like ones he had attended in Winnipeg and Halifax.
“It’s actually overwhelming to see how many people are here,” he said.
Michel Duforge, a student who recently joined the armed forces, said there were just as many people at the ceremony this year as last.
“The only difference is that this year they had Griffons — military helicopters — go by.”
Duforge said it’s always important for people to attend the ceremonies.
“I think it’s important to show that we will never forget the sacrifices that these veterans have made,” he said. “Not only have a lot of them sacrificed their lives, but all of them have sacrificed moments with their families. It’s important to commemorate that.”
Duforge grew up in Petawawa, a military town in the Ottawa Valley. Both of his parents were in the Air Force, he said, and his father worked as a helicopter repairman while his mother was one of the computer technicians.
“That’s basically why I joined,” he said.
Speeches of appreciation were read over the loudspeaker to honour veterans of past and present. When the speaker paused, the boom of cannon fire reverberated through the silent crowd.
This year will be the last Remembrance Day for soldiers serving in Afghanistan, as their mission concluded this July.
“The long-heralded homecoming of our troops gives us a more vivid appreciation of our veterans,” one speaker said. “The young veterans and the old veterans meet today in mutual respect . . . our veterans of whatever generation are Canada’s best.”
The call to remember is not something that should ever be overlooked, said the final speaker.
“To remember is not a mere passing and passive event,” he said. “It is an act of perpetual, unshakable obligation.”
The service concluded with a procession of servicemen from different lines of duty marching out of Confederation Square to the sounds of bagpipes and drums.
After the applause faded, people waited to place their poppies on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier while others placed wreaths nearby.
