Windsor·Video

Windsor remembers: A look at Remembrance Day across the city

After a scaled back ceremony that was not open to spectators last year due to the pandemic, Windsorites returned to marking Remembrance Day in-person this year.

Thursday morning ceremony took place in-person this year

CBC News · Posted: Nov 11, 2021 1:30 PM EST | Last Updated: November 12, 2021

The Windsor Remembrance Day ceremony was held at the cenotaph at City Hall Square on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021 (Jason Viau/CBC)

After the Remembrance Day ceremony went online only in 2020 due to the pandemic, Windsorites were able to mark the occasion in person this year.

At the city's ceremony on Thursday morning, Silver Cross mother Theresa Charbonneau was among those who addressed the crowd.

She spoke of the many sacrifices of soldiers, giving a speech she called, "The price of war, the cost of freedom."

"They serve, they protect, they defend. And they do it willingly, whenever they're called upon, and without complaint. So, for the price paid and the cost borne for our continued freedom, let us remember," said Charbonneau, whose son Cpl. Andrew Grenon died in the line of duty in 2008.

These scenes of the 2021 Remembrance Day ceremony were captured by CBC's Jason Viau:

Wreaths from various local organizations were laid at the cenotaph at City Hall Square — which bears the inscription "their name liveth for evermore" — and pilots with the Canadian Aviation Museum did a fly-over.

Unlike last year's event, the public was permitted to attend but encouraged to social distance and wear a mask where social distancing was not possible. (Jason Viau/CBC)

The City of Windsor livestreamed the event for those unable to attend in person.

Retirement home displays poppies

Over at Devonshire Retirement Residence, Remembrance Day was marked with an outdoor display in honour of those who served.

The lawn was decked out in homemade poppies created by residents, staff and community members including students at F.W. Begley School.

According to the retirement home, the school contributed about 300 poppies to the display, each containing a student's message of thanks.

Poppies were on display at Devonshire Retirement Residence on Riverside Drive in Windsor. (Amanda Margison/CBC)

Some of the poppies were made by students at F.W. Begley School. They contain personal messages from the students. (Amanda Margison/CBC)

A sweet fundraiser

One business owner in Windsor is supporting the Royal Canadian Legion this Remembrance Day.

Riverside Pie Cafe has been making poppy cookies for the last four years in support of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 255 in Riverside. The fundraiser usually generates around $1,000 a year.

WATCH: This Windsor business owner supports the Royal Canadian Legion this Remembrance Day: