Canadians from coast to coast gathered for Remembrance Day ceremonies to honour the sacrifice of the country's veterans in conflicts ranging from the First World War to the very current battlefield in Afghanistan.
Millions of Canadians were expected to watch the annual ritual on television or take part in local ceremonies Wednesday, honouring the 1.5 million citizens who have served their country since the start of the First World War.
In Ottawa, thousands of soldiers, veterans and other Canadians gathered on a sunny, crisp morning for the annual ceremonies at the National War Memorial.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Governor-General Michaelle Jean, as well as Prince Charles, were in attendance as a choir sang "O Canada" and a bugler played "The Last Post."
Jean, the commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces, wore a military uniform to the somber event. The prince, who is colonel-in-chief of three Canadian regiments, wore a full military uniform with the insignia of a lieutenant-general.
Together they laid a wreath at the memorial following two minutes of silence beginning at 11 a.m., that was broken by a booming military salute.
This year's Silver Cross mother, Della Marie Morley, of East Saint Paul, Man., also laid a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial during the Ottawa ceremony, followed by a host .
Her 30-year-old son, Cpl. Keith Morley, was killed three years ago when serving in Afghanistan with the 2nd battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.
A host of others also laid wreaths at the memorial.
Then, in what has has become a tradition in recent years, attendees filed past the tomb of the unknown soldier, laying their poppies on the monument.
Prior to the ceremony, Joseph Clark, a retired Second World War veteran, said he believes Canadians are paying more attention to Remembrance Day because of the work that Canadian soldiers are doing in Afghanistan.
"I think in part, there is and should be, the concentration on the guys that are overseas in Afghanistan," he said during an interview with his son, Tom Clark, the host of CTV's Power Play.
"And I don't think that they are forgetting the rest of us, I think they're just saying there's a new bunch to be added. And I hope that's the case."
Prince visits Canadian base
Speaking at CFB Petawawa Wednesday, Charles offered his condolences on a base that has lost 35 soldiers in Afghanistan.
"I do understand what they must have been through, what they still go through. Because, of course, you never get over losing somebody, ever," he said. "But the least we can do is to offer them our sympathy and understanding and support, and of course the fact that what their loved ones did will never be forgotten."
Hundreds of soldiers and their families greeted the prince and his wife Camilla. CFB Petawawa in home to the Royal Canadian Regiment of which the prince is colonel-in-chief.
The prince said Canadians should have "enormous debt of gratitude" for the work of men and women fighting in Afghanistan.
"I certainly don't take for granted what they do, because it is quite remarkable how many people are prepared to give such service.
"And thank goodness, if I may say so, that there's such support from the Canadian public for what they're doing, which is the great thing when you're out there, feeling that you have all that support behind you."
Soldiering on
Afghanistan veteran Master Cpl. Jody Mitic says the respect that today's veterans are shown means a lot to the people serving in the Canadian Forces.
For he and his fellow soldiers, Remembrance Day is a moment where "we all just take the time to think back and remember why we do what we do," Mitic told CTV's Canada AM during an interview in Toronto on Wednesday morning.
Mitic lost both his feet after stepping on a landmine in Afghanistan's Panjwaii district on Jan. 11, 2007.
During a long recovery, Mitic learned to walk again -- and run marathons -- with the help of prosthetics.
Today, he is married to one of the medics that rescued him on the battlefield -- Sgt. Alannah Gilmore -- and he is the father of their young daughter, Aylah.
"My life wouldn't be the way it is without the injury," Mitic said.
Kandahar ceremonies
Earlier Wednesday in Kandahar, Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Industry Minister Tony Clement went to Remembrance Day ceremonies that were also attended by Kandahar Governor Tooryalai Wesa and representatives of the families of seven fallen soldiers.
At the ceremony in Kandahar, Task Force Commander Brig. Gen. Jonathan Vance said "we are reminded today that former generations have had to fight, have had to endure hardship and have sacrificed to win freedom from Canada and people around the world."
"They set high standards and won respect for the total commitment represented by a nation employing armed forces at war," he said.
Some 2,700 Canadian Forces members are currently serving in Afghanistan today, a mission that has claimed the lives of 133 Canadian soldiers.
With files from The Canadian Press
