Thousands of Calgarians took part in Remembrance Day ceremonies all across the city on Monday to pay their respects to those who put their life on the line for Canada and vowed never to forget their sacrifice.
Ceremonies were held all across the city, with the largest being at the Military Museums on Crowchild Trail.
About 15,000 people attended the ceremony there.
This year is the Year of the Korean War Veteran, but soldiers who fought in every war were honoured for their sacrifice.
Norman Leach, an author and historian at the Military Museums, says that Calgary pays a lot of attention to these ceremonies because of the involvement the city has had with war. “Calgary has been involved from the very beginning. Right across the street, here at CFB Calgary to the 50th Battalion who went to World War I, which became the Highlanders, so Calgary has been here since the Boer War as part of the efforts to keep Canada safe.”
An event was also held at the Jubilee Auditorium, where hundreds of people took part to recognize the sacrifice of more than 115,000 Canadians who died in service to the country.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi was on hand to remind all residents of the importance of remembering their sacrifice, saying who we are now is directly linked to the conflicts of the past.
A ceremony was also held at the Field of Crosses along Memorial Drive on Monday morning.
About 3,000 crosses fill the landscape lining the road, each one representing soldiers from Alberta killed during war time or during peacekeeping duties.
Hundreds took part in the event, something that organizer Murray McCann says is nice to see. “It’s so gratifying to see so many people walking between the crosses and recognizing how young those men and women were who gave up their lives. It’s overwhelming.”
Residents looking to learn more about Calgary’s and Canada’s involvement in military conflicts are invited to visit the Military Museums.
Admission is free to the facility, which is open until 5 p.m.
