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Calgarians mark Remembrance Day in ceremonies across city

Calgariansgathered at a number of locations across the city for Remembrance Day ceremonieson Thursday to honour those who served.

The Military Museums hosted around 2,000 people for its outdoor service

Remembrance Day ceremonies echo through Calgary

3 years ago
Duration 1:53
Calgarians marked a return to in-person Remembrance Day ceremonies a year after the COVID-19 pandemic forced limited gatherings. Hundreds of people attended a number of ceremonies in Calgary to pay their respects.

Calgariansgathered at a number of locations across the city for Remembrance Day ceremonieson Thursday to honour those who served.

The largestevent took place at The Military Museums with both Premier Jason Kenney and Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek in attendance.

Calgarians observed Remembrance Day this year at ceremonies in city cemeteries, the Field of Crosses beside Memorial Drive and an outdoor service at The Military Museums. (Dave Gilson/CBC)

"Let us be deliberate about remembrance to those who would have us forget. Let us renew this tradition after a century for a century to come. A tradition of profound remembrance reminding us 100years from now of the good for which they fought and the evil that they suffered," said Kenney.

With COVID-19 public safety measures in place, The Military Museums estimates it hosted more than 2.000 people for its service. (Dave Gilson/CBC)
A veteran pauses at a war memorial following a Remembrance Day service. Many who attended todays services said it was important to honour those Canadians who served and sacrificed for their country. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

Over inthe southeast, a smaller Remembrance Day ceremony was held at the cenotaph in Burnsland Cemetery,where many of Calgary's First World War veterans are buried.

The Military Museums service included young and old veterans from military, naval and air force personnel, as well political leaders and members of the public who were able to show their proof of vaccination. (Dave Gilson/CBC)

Members of the Calgary Highlanders provided aguard of honour and observed a minute of silence at 11 a.m. while dozens of other participants stood by.

A piper with the Calgary Highlanders places his poppy on a war memorial at the Queens Park Cemetery Field of Honour. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

In attendance was Sgt. Wally Fong, whohas been a reservist for 14 years. He says he hasn't known anyone personally who has given the "ultimate sacrifice" but that it is important to think about those who did.

"To honour past fallen and deadjust reminds us of all the sacrifices that they made that enable us to live the life that we live today," he said.

While larger crowds gathered at higher-profile events on Thursday, a smaller Remembrance Day ceremony was held at the cenotaph in Burnsland Cemetery. (Scott Dippel/CBC)

Fred Butterworth brought along a wreath to the cemeteryto honour his uncle who was killed during the Second World War.

He and his family have been attending the service since 2003.

Sgt. Wally Fong says it's a great honour to be able to participate in the Remembrance Day parade. (Monty Kruger/CBC)

"With all the troubles in the worldand all the things that the Canadian soldiers have done over the years to help make the world a better place,it's time to remember that it's been a tough time for them," he said.

"They've been through some very horrific events, and they really need to be remembered for all the services they've given us over the years."

The Field of Crosses

The Field of Crosses is a five-acrevisual tribute to the sacrifices made by the thousands of soldiers from southern Alberta. Every November, the crosses are placed in military cemetery formation by hundreds of volunteerson a piece ofland alongMemorial Drive.

The Remembrance Day ceremonyitself at the Field of Crosses was not open to the public this year due to COVID public health concerns, but it can bewatched here.

The site reopened to the public at 2 p.m.

Calgarian Fred Butterworth says each year he remembers his uncle who was lost in the Second World War while fighting in Holland. (Monty Kruger/CBC)

With files from Scott Dippel, Monty Kruger and Dave Gilson