Vancouver Remembrance Day ceremony draws massive crowds

With the sounds of bagpipes piercing through the air thousands of people came to remember.A massive crowd packed in and around Vancouver's cenotaph.

• Missed the livestream? Click here to watch the full ceremony

The sombre ceremony tookon special significance thisyear, which marks the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the FirstWorld War and follows the recent killings of two Canadian soldiersin Ontario and Quebec.

Remembrance Day in Vancouver began with the Generation ToGeneration ceremony and the lighting of the cauldron at Jack Poole Plaza at 8:30 a.m. PT.

The ceremony at thecenotaph in Victory Square began at 9:45 a.m. witha performance by the Vancouver Bach Youth Choir.

The Last Post was sounded at 11:00 a.m.followed bytwo minutes of silence. TheRouse and Lament followed.

Second World War veteran Don Easton was there to take part.

"It was quite exciting, to see it occur. It was heartfelt, very enjoyable," he told the CBC's Richard Zussman.

Hundreds of people lined up after the ceremony to lay down their poppies alongside the dozens of wreaths at the cenotaph.

Rhona Gordon, whoseson served two terms in Afghanistan, said it wasemotional to hear the crowds cheer during the parade of soldiers.

"Ithink the applause is incredibly uplifting for them andfor those watching.Itis an incredible experience to be here."

More Remembrance Day resources

• Remembrance Day events in B.C.'s Lower Mainland 2014
• Remembrance Day draws bigger crowds, higher emotions in 2014
• Remembrance Day in Canada:Livestream, watch, listen on CBC
• #HowIRemember: Canadians share videos, photos
• More CBC News coverage |Remembrance Day

War story features

• How veterans are helping veterans returning from Afghanistan
• WW II airmen missing for 70 years laid to rest
• Stanley Park's secret military history
• 'How I long to see you': 98-year-old shares letter from father killed in WW I
• JM sketchbook origins an unsolved First World War mystery
• Iconic 'Wait For Me, Daddy' WW II photo unveiled as sculpture
• War Horse: The personal story behind the WWI movie
• Lost First World War bracelet returned to Arthur Erickson's family