Remembrance Day events draw thousands across B.C.

Thousands of people turned out for Remembrance Day ceremonies across B.C. Wednesday morning, with the largest events taking place outside the legislature in Victoria and at the cenotaph in downtown Vancouver.

The Vancouver ceremony included the reading of a poem by Gina Neuman, a 17-year-old student at the Little Flower Academy, who said she dreams of a day when her future grandchildren will ask her what war is because there will be no wars for them to witness or participate in.

The service included the traditional wreath layings, the playing of the Last Post and several hymns, including the Vancouver Bach choir singing the poem In Flanders Fields.

A 21-gun salute was also fired from the Vancouver waterfront during the ceremony while overhead, a Canadian Forces Orion long-range patrol plane and several vintage Second World War aircraft flew past.

Premier's statement

After the service, veterans, Mounties and others in uniform paraded past B.C. Premier GCampbell for the salute.

"Today, Canadian men and women continue to volunteer and serve in defence of democracy, continuing a long tradition of bravery and service," Campbell said in statement released earlier.

"Every one of those veterans has sacrificed to defend our collective rights and freedoms, and we owe them a debt of gratitude and remembrance that must be honoured not just on Nov. 11 but all year round," he said.

"From the height of Vimy Ridge to the mud of Passchendaele, from the beaches of Normandy to the deserts of the Middle East, many sons and daughters of our country have fought and died in conflicts.

"As warriors and peacekeepers, in conflicts in Europe, the Pacific, Korea and around the globe, the best of Canada gave unselfishly, to make our world a better place for future generations."

Other services

Organizer Cameron Cathcart, who has led the organization of the Vancouver's remembrance ceremonies for eight years, said each year, more people attend services, regardless of the weather.

"I'm always impressed and pleased to see families and young people at the ceremony. They know it's important to pay tribute to the sacrifices of a previous generation, for the peace and freedom we enjoy, and to our new generation of veterans," he said

The Vancouver event was among hundreds in cities and towns across the province, honouring those who have died while serving Canada.

Lieutenant Governor Stephen Point was among those who attended the Remembrance Day ceremonies in front of the B.C. legislature in Victoria.

In South Vancouver, members of the Vancouver Police Department marched to the Mountain View Cemetery in east Vancouver just after 9 a.m., where they honoured fellow officers who died in several conflicts while serving with the Armed Forces.

They then joined a larger Remembrance Day parade marching to the cenotaph at South Memorial Park in south Vancouver for the 11 a.m. service.

Free public transit for vets

TransLink also expanded its list of those eligible for free public transit in Metro Vancouver on Remembrance Day.

In addition to war veterans and all active and uniformed members of the Armed Forces, for the first time, free service was also extended to police, firefighters, paramedics and members of the coast guard.