This is a day where residents across our region will honour the almost 115 thousand Canadians who died in the two world wars, the Korean and Afghan wars, and peacekeeping missions.
Thousands of people braved the cold and wet weather and attended dozens of ceremonies at cenotaphs and legions.
In Owen Sound — veteran Bill Harrison was happy to see the large crowd — and he told us they did a lot of work before the ceremony.
He says they pre-laid almost 100 wreaths at the Owen Sound cenotaph — which is their largest total ever.
They have been purchased by groups, businesses and families — and Harrison says it tells him people are remembering.
Harrison says he is also proud to see so many residents wear a poppy.
Harrison — who is the Chair of the Poppy Campaign — says the money raised goes to the care and concern of veterans — and not the legion.
Weather was also no object when it came to Remembrance Day ceremonies in Southampton, Port Elgin and Kincardine.
Hundreds of visitors of all ages took part in the separate events despite the blustery cold winds.
90 year old Steve Marchello was part of the Southampton ceremonies.
The Southampton resident served in the Navy in WW II but as he put it, was stuck behind a desk in Ottawa.
His brother however, served in Dieppe and was killed in action.
His body has never been recovered.
Marcello says the day has special meaning for him as a result.
The Girl Guides of Southampton laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in Southampton and both 11 year old Pathfinder Hallie Acton and 10 year old Girl Guide Kennedy Nichol felt it necessary that everyone thank those who have passed on, in defending Canada.
Saugeen Shores Mayor Mike Smith attended both ceremonies in Port Elgin and Southampton and is always encouraged to see the children decked out in poppies doing their part to continue the legacy of Remembrance Day.
In Goderich — about 800 people, including dignitaries, students, parade participants and the general public assembled on the open landscape of Courthouse Square for Remembrance Day.
Legion Chaplain Archdeacon Allan Livingstone linked the sacrifice of the fallen to the task of rebuilding the community.
Veteran Hudson Milborne, who has participated in many past Remembrance Day ceremonies, was impressed with the number of people taking part in this year’s commemoration.
Branch 109 President Paul Thorne says Goderich residents don’t let a little adversity bother them.
In Hanover, Mayor Kathi Maskell was happy to see so many people at the Cenotaph.
She says we owe it to our veterans and our Canadian troops to show up.
Hanover still boasts a handful of World War II veterans, however its been a tough year with the loss of five more veterans.
There were also Remembrance Day ceremonies in Wasaga Beach at the LIbrary, at the Legion halls in Stayner, Creemore and Elmvale, and at the cenotaph at the Museum in Collingwood.
The first of Canada’s Remembrance Day ceremonies was held early this morning in Afghanistan. Defence Minister Peter MacKay was with our soldiers in Afghanistan for the service.
MacKay read out loud the names of the 158 military personnel who have died as part of the Afghan mission, which began nine years ago.
We lost almost 115 thousand Canadians in the two World Wars, the Korean and Afghan wars and the peacekeeping missions.
