A resounding cannon shot marked the start of a minute’s silence in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Monday morning, and crowds of people along the city’s two main thoroughfares fell silent and lowered their heads.
Canadians are gathering across the country on November 11, Remembrance Day, to pay tribute to the sacrifice of the men and women in uniform who gave their lives in service of the values and principles of our country.
In Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau laid a wreath at the National War Memorial. He was accompanied by the Governor General of Canada, Mary Simon, and this year’s National Mother of the Silver Cross, Maureen Anderson of New Brunswick.
Ms. Anderson this year represents the mothers of all military personnel killed in the line of duty. His two sons, Sergeants Ron and Ryan Anderson, fought in Afghanistan; they later died after battling, this time, post-traumatic stress disorder.
The mournful sound ofLast call” is also heard around countless other cenotaphs and monuments across the country on Monday, as Canadians take a moment, “at 11 a.m. on the 11th of the 11th,” to pay silent tribute to all fallen service members.
The ceremonies will also honor members of the Canadian Armed Forces who continue to serve today.
“Throughout our history, the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces have protected our country,” Mr. Trudeau wrote in a publication on X. “Some have returned from combat forever transformed. Others stayed there. We will always be indebted to them and we will never forget.”
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