David Kawai, Ottawa Citizen
OTTAWA — From a dusty airfield in Afghanistan to the Tomb of the Unknown soldier in the nation's capital and from coast to coast, a sombre mood prevailed Friday as Canadians took a moment to pause, reflect and pay their respects to this country's fallen soldiers.
Bagpipes, bugles and the blast of CF-18 jets sounded through overcast skies at the Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa, where thousands gathered at the National War Memorial.
Spectators of all ages lined barricades along the streets surrounding the towering granite cenotaph.
"Their ultimate sacrifice inspires us in our own search for a better world," said Karl McLean, Chaplain-General of the Canadian Forces, during an opening prayer remembering the soldiers who gave their lives for this country. "Holy scripture tells us there is no greater love than to lay down your life for your friends."
The large, solemn ceremony in Ottawa was one of numerous events held across the country on Remembrance Day.
Among those in attendance in Ottawa were Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife, Laureen, along with Gov. Gen. David Johnston and Silver Cross Mother Patricia Braun.
Braun's son, Cpl. David Braun, was killed by a suicide bomber while he was on patrol in Kandahar in August 2006. As a representative of all mothers of Canadian soldiers she stepped onto a red carpet in front of the cenotaph and shook the hands of dignitaries, to sustained applause.
The Governor General wore a full military uniform as he stood at attention along with soldiers and veterans. Although he is permitted to wear a uniform, Johnston had said previously he likely would not wear one as he has not served in the Canadian Forces.
Parliament Hill's Peace Tower bells chimed a mournful refrain as the crowd hushed for the two-minute silence.
The faces of war veterans and serving Canadian soldiers were lined with emotion as a lone trumpeter sounded the Last Post, the sorrowful tune historically used in British Army camps to signal the end of the day.
The crack of cannon salutes and artillery fire competed with bagpipes to break the silence as dozens of dignitaries, representatives of veterans associations and family members of Canadian soldiers killed in combat laid wreaths on the steps leading up to the cenotaph.
As the wreaths were laid, Rabbi Reuven Bulka, honorary chaplain of the Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, delivered a heartfelt note on the importance of Canadian soldiers' contributions to their country.
"May those who died be remembered lovingly," Bulka told the crowd. "May those who were injured be healed in body and spirit. May those who serve and continue to serve live out their lives in a world that is free of terror and suffused with tranquillity, the type of world they served to create and to preserve."
Earlier Friday morning, the Union Jack, lowered to half-staff, fluttered in the breeze as veterans and members of the Canadian army, the Royal Canadian Air Force, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police marched in unison to positions surrounding the cenotaph near Parliament Hill.
The Governor General saluted the veterans as they departed the ceremony. Another two CF-18 jets and seven Griffon helicopters flew in formation above the War Memorial as rows of soldiers, air force and navy members and cadets left.
As the dignitaries headed out, visitors filed past the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a grave in which the remains of a unidentified soldier are interred, and laid down their poppies. Before long, the tomb was completely covered with the bright felt flowers.
Doug MacDonell, of Ottawa, had relatives in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He said he comes each year "to pay respects" to those who gave their lives for freedom.
Karen Cumberland and Craig Savill brought their 10-month-old son, Aiden.
"It's important that we start early," said Cumberland.
Remembrance Day services began early Friday morning at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan, where Defence Minister Peter MacKay paid tribute to the 158 soldiers who died during the decade-long mission in Afghanistan.
As MacKay slowly read their names aloud, family members of soldiers placed poppies on the black marble plaques on which the names and images of the fallen were etched.
More than 100 Canadian and U.S. troops stood silently by the cenotaph during the solemn service as flags were lowered to half-staff and a soldier recited the poem, In Flanders Fields.
For many Canadians, this year's Remembrance Day service had a new meaning, as the first since Canada's combat mission in Afghanistan officially ended over the summer.
In Kandahar, MacKay described the Afghan war as this "generation's conflict", fought by troops as young as 19 years old. On Friday, young Afghanistan soldiers stood alongside veterans more than three times their ages.
MacKay said Canadians may have learned more about the world through the country's participation in the mission.
"I suspect that five or 10 years ago, very few Canadians could have located Afghanistan on a map," he said. "And now, it is a country that Canadians have come to know, come to feel a sense of pride for what has been accomplished here, and to understand the sting of loss and sacrifice that accompanies a mission such as this."
On Canadian soil, Remembrance Day ceremonies extended across the country with crowds gathered at local cenotaphs and many City Hall buildings lowering their flags to half-staff.
In Petawawa, Ont., home to one of Canada's largest military bases, Remembrance Day services at the local Legion drew close to 1,000 soldiers and community members.
For a community that has endured more losses than any other in Canada, the Remembrance Day service was especially meaningful, said Lt.-Col. Nick Pilon, chief of staff for the 4,500-member 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group based in Petawawa.
"This event is a lot more personal to a lot of these soldiers," Pilon said. "They've lost friends, colleagues."
In Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, the red poppies were a bright burst of colour amidst blustery winds and heavy rain that caused power outages in parts of the Maritimes.
The inclement weather forced some outdoor services inside, but in Halifax, a ceremony at the historic Grand Parade military square went ahead as planned.
In Victoria and Vancouver, the sometimes drizzly weather also did not deter spectators from gathering to pay their respects.
At the Vancouver Convention Centre, the Olympic cauldron was lit at 8 a.m. and extinguished at 11:02 a.m. marking the end of the two-minute silence at a ceremony in downtown's Victory Square.
In Victoria, crowds gathered at one of British Columbia's largest remembrance ceremonies at the cenotaph on the lawns of the provincial legislature buildings.
Similar ceremonies took place in Calgary. On Twitter, Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi reminded Calgarians to "please make sure to take time to remember and honour our veterans today."
Remembrance Day was a trending topic on Twitter, with many users on the social networking website paying their respects in a digital format.
"To all the Canadian troops past and present. Never will be forgotten. Utmost respect for anyone who stood for our countries," tweeted retired Canadian National Hockey League player Chris Nilan.
The Ottawa Citizen has created a Twitter page called "WeAreTheDead" which has begun reciting the names of Canada's war dead, one each hour of every day until all are named.
With files from Carmen Chai, Postmedia News and the Ottawa Citizen
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