Thousands of Canadians reflect at National War Memorial on Remembrance Day
Posted November 11, 2021 10:44 am.
Last Updated November 11, 2021 10:50 am.
Remembrance Day is a day of reflection and gratitude as people across the country pay tribute to veterans from past and present.
Thousands of people returned to the National War Memorial in Ottawa, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, for the country’s largest ceremony.
Some of the crowd here at the National War Memorial #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/0pI9uFdmEn
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) November 11, 2021
Susan, who is fully vaccinated, was among those in attendance. She says she wasn’t afraid of the crowd.
“People are biding by the rules. I’m not concerned,” she said.
Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau greets the Silver Cross Mother #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/S8RmCgH0OF
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) November 11, 2021
This is a significant year, as it marks a century of Canada using the poppy as a symbol of remembrance. Don Potter, who was injured in a NATO mission in the 1960s, shared what the poppy means to him:
“It represents for all those people that died overseas, that they gave their lives in the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.”
O Canada pic.twitter.com/gJUucPOUZv
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) November 11, 2021
The ceremony included the playing of the last post, a flyover from jets and a 21 gun salute.
Veterans are laying wreaths at the National War Memorial #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/jCY9AeNOk4
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) November 11, 2021
Related articles:
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‘Let’s not forget’: Hundreds of veterans remain homeless this Remembrance Day
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Canadians welcomed to attend Remembrance Day ceremonies, told to wear masks and distance
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100 years: How the poppy came to be the symbol of remembrance in Canada
At the end of the event in Ottawa, people took part in the solemn tradition of placing their poppies on the tomb of the unknown soldier.
Veterans and the public now placing their poppies on the tomb of the unknown soldier pic.twitter.com/df5kLA7Pa6
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) November 11, 2021
A security issue postponed the start of the event at the memorial.
RCMP confirmed to CityNews that the postponement was due to a suspicious package. It was subsequently investigated and determined to be no threat.
NEW: RCMP confirms to @CityNewsOttawa that the security issue that delayed the Remembrance Day ceremony was a suspicious package. It was investigated and determined to be no threat#cdnpoli
— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) November 11, 2021
