People across the city and the nation gathered in schools and around war memorials Wednesday to honour those who’ve sacrificed their lives to protect the freedoms of others.
Several teenage cadets held vigil overnight across the GTA. Army, navy and air cadets began standing guard at the cenotaph at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 345, near Victoria Park and St. Clair Avenues, at midnight and continued to do so until the end of Remembrance Day ceremonies.
People gathered to honour Canadian servicemen and women, past and present, at a sunrise ceremony at Prospect Cemetery.
Several ceremonies were held across the city, at Fort York, various schools and civic centres -- the largest gathering was at the cenotaph at Old City Hall at 10:30am. '
"Our roll call of heroes includes those who have fought from Flanders to Normandy to the South Pacific, from Korea to the Persian Gulf to Afghanistan," Ontario's Lieutenant Governor David Onley said at the ceremony at Old City Hall.
The TTC also came to a stop for two minutes at 11am to honour Canadian troops.
On Tuesday the Toronto Island Airport was renamed in honour of the First World War flying ace and Owen Sound native Billy Bishop.
Premier Dalton McGuinty led the Nov. 11 service at Queen's Park.
"Some of us here today, or those we remember, have stood for those values and ideals in ways that the rest of us simply can't imagine," he said.
Governor-General Michaelle Jean and Prime Minister Stephen Harper were joined by Prince Charles for Remembrance Day ceremonies at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.
Della Marie Morley, from East Saint Paul, Man., is this year’s Silver Cross mother. Her son, Cpl. Keith Morley, was killed in Afghanistan on Sept. 18, 2006.
The families of Canadian soldiers were the focus of a charity event in Toronto Tuesday evening where hundreds of people gathered for the True Patriot Love Foundation gala dinner to raise money for the Canadian Military Families Fund.
Retired Capt. Trevor Greene was honoured at the event, which was attended by Harper and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. Greene survived an axe attack to the head while serving in Afghanistan. He credited his four-year-old daughter for giving him the strength to make his remarkable recovery.
Greene was ambushed when he and his fellow soldiers removed their helmets in a show of respect during a meeting with village elders. Doctors predicted he’d be mentally incapacitated after the blow, but he’s regained the ability to speak, some use of his arms and he vows he’ll walk again.
Harper said he’s pleased to see Canadians express pride and support in the work our soldiers are doing overseas.
"Public appreciation for our military may be higher today than at any time since the Second World War," he said.
"We have seen that love and loyalty expressed in countless other ways by groups and individuals from coast to coast to coast."
A recent poll highlights the Prime Minister’s words. More than 80 per cent of Canadians believe Remembrance Day is an important way to show support for troops in Afghanistan and 86 per cent of respondents believe we owe our freedom and democracy to our Armed Forces.
Seventy-five per cent believe the Highway of Heroes is an important symbol honouring Canada’s war dead.
All government offices and banks are closed Wednesday. There will also be no mail delivery.
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A full list of Canadian soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan
Message from HRH The Prince of Wales To Canadian Troops At Kandahar:
As my wife and I participate in Remembrance commemorations at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on November 11th, I wanted you to know that we will be with you all in spirit in Kandahar as you pay your own tribute to those who, over many generations, have made the ultimate sacrifice in duty to Crown and country.
We join with the Canadian people in expressing our proud and heartfelt gratitude to all members of Her Majesty’s Canadian Forces who are currently serving in Afghanistan for your selfless dedication on behalf of us all.
My prayers and good wishes are with you at this time. May God continue to bless and protect you.