11, 1918, but serves to honour all veterans. The date commemorates the end of First World War on Nov. The ceremony was one of many Remembrance Day events across the country, including one at the National War Memorial in Ottawa with Gov. Once the ceremony wrapped up, people removed the poppies they were wearing and pinned them onto the largest wreath, covering all the green to turn it a bright red. We will gather here at this memorial every year, always, and we will remember," he said.Īt the end of Thursday's ceremony, dignitaries from several veterans' organizations and foreign consulates laid wreaths at the Veteran's Memorial. We will make sure those stories continue to be told. "We will never forget the sacrifice your generation made. He said future Ontario residents will continue to remember heroic Canadian soldiers through other ceremonies. McGuinty said Canadian soldiers paid the price, risking their lives to build Canada's reputation on the world stage as a peacekeeper that stands up for democracy. "Our dad was a veteran and it's important to come to the ceremonies to remember the ones who were in the war," she said. Her granddaughter Emily Ferguson, 10, said her favourite part of the ceremony was hearing the poem "In Flanders Field." "I don't think I truly understood until I watched my son go through it and my grandchildren, and to hear them crying at night for their daddy and why he's not coming home," she said. "For him it's like he's still back over there in Afghanistan, remembering all that he was going through."įerguson said the demands of a military life were very hard on her son and his young family. He is now back in Canada, but his mother went to Queen's Park because of the hardship her son and his family have faced. Mary Ferguson of Mississauga, Ont., brought her two young granddaughters, whose father Jody has served in Afghanistan twice. Many of the veterans in the crowd were happy to see several children, many on school trips, and others with family. "And keep in mind our young soldiers, who have been coming back to Canada in difficult, difficult circumstances," he said. Richard Rohmer said Remembrance Day is not only about remembering those who died, but also those who returned to Canada. Maybe we shouldn't be so uncomfortable to say that generations of our soldiers have won our nationhood and contribute to our imminent standing on the world stage," he said.Īs a gun salute blasted, retired Maj.-Gen. "What a typical Canadian reaction that both of us had been that way. "That was the first time in 34 years of my service that something like that had ever occurred," he said, describing that he later felt embarrassed about what he called an awkward interaction between the two of them. Fred Lewis talked about being in uniform in a grocery store, when a young man approached him and thanked him for the work of the Canadian military. Speakers at Queen's Park said they've recently met young people who show they truly care about the sacrifices that Canadian soldiers have made.īrig.-Gen. the hills of Korea or today in the rough terrain of Afghanistan," said Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. "We will remember those whose heroism made a difference in countless lives around the world, whether in the fields and villages of Europe. Speakers at the Ontario legislature reminded attendees that although they should never forget the sacrifices made by veterans of previous wars, they should not overlook the young men and women currently serving their country. TORONTO - Hundreds of people honoured Canada's veterans at Remembrance Day ceremonies across Ontario on Thursday, with many focusing on thanking veterans young and old.
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