Thousands pay tribute as Remembrance Day ceremony returns to Winnipeg convention centre

As the Last Post from a bugler echoed through the hall of Winnipeg'sRBC Convention Centre, not a single other sound could be heard as thousands stood silent at Friday'sRemembrance Day service.

An estimated 2,000 members of the public wereable to attend Manitoba's largest remembrance ceremonyfor the first time since 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the event in 2020 and 2021, and the scaling back of other ceremonies in the city and around the province.

"This morning, as we reflect upon our blessings, we ask that we may be faithful stewards of the freedom that we have been granted," the master of ceremonies at Friday morning's ceremony said, noting this year, the 11thminute of the 11thhour, on the 11th day of the 11thmonth, marked 104 years since the end of the First World War.

It also marked the 80th anniversary of the Dieppe raidin northern France, during the Second World War.

Manitoba Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville laid the first wreath, followed by Memorial Cross recipient Shannon Morley, Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson, MP Dan Vandal on behalf of the Government of Canada, Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham and numerousservice members and veterans.

The service at the convention centre was one of about a dozen in Winnipeg, including one at Vimy Ridge Memorial Park.

Close to 200 peoplegathered in fresh snow for the service by theRoyal Winnipeg RiflesRegiment,onthe105th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge in France.

"Today, we give thanks to the women and men of every generation who have answered the call to serve our country," saidCanadian Armed Forces Chaplain Capt.Antin Sloboda.

"Each sacrifice is imprinted in the fabric that shapes the identity of Canada and thus cannot be forgotten."

And ina world that continues to be shaken with struggle and instability, including a war in Ukraine, it is equally important to think of those serving our country today, he added.

"We ask for blessings for our Canadian Armed Forces who are deployed in supporting alliesin Europe and globally, and who serve on humanitarian missions helping those who carry the burdens of conflict most severely refugees, vulnerable minorities, women and children," Sloboda said.

Barry Mitchell of the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association was atFriday's ceremony at the RBC Convenstion Centre.

He was there to rememberhis father and uncle, both Winnipeg Grenadiers, who died in the Second World War at the hands of the Japanese.

"Those who did return were sort of the walking wounded, and we're the families of all of them who took over the commemorative duties, and we honour that today," Mitchell said.

Ralph Wild, who is now 104, fought in the Canadian military atthe Battle of Britain in 1940.

Looking back on his experience and other conflicts that followed, Wild has one message.

"Just eliminate wars and everyone can concentrate on living properly."

Hundreds gatherat CFB Shilo

CFB Shilo, located about 200 kilometres west of Winnipeg, is home to the Second Battalion, Princess Patricia's Light Infantry and the First Regiment, Canadian Horse Artillery.

Base Commander Lt. Col. Christopher Wood said "something was missing" when the public was unable to attend services in 2020 and 2021.

He says Remembrance Day is an important opportunity to connect with the community while honouring and remembering the sacrifice of all Canadian veterans.

"Our older veterans they are, they're diamonds that we're losing," he said. "Reach out, remember to talk to Canadian Forces members. We want to engage with the public and I think there's great people serving in the military now and having served I think we just want to connect with each other especially coming out of COVID," Wood said.

The base was unable to send as many military members to different communities as usual for Remembrance Day, Wood added, as many are currently deployed in Latvia. Some soldierd will be returning from a six-month central and eastern Europedeployment in December.

Maj.Melissa Marshall, an Afghanistan veteran, says the CFB Shilo service is an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of Canadian soldiers in more recent conflicts including Afghanistan, Bosnia and Iraq.

These veterans feel close to the Shilo community, she said, because the base is a large family. This gives the community intimate insights into the wounds soldiers can carry after being deployed.

Marshall says Remembrance Day at Shilo reflects the intimate and close-knit community on base.

"I think about the people that are still struggling just from the effects of the Afghan war I think we see that with our soldiers and with our family members that did serve there. The effects do linger.

"They're still paying the price for their service there," Marshallsaid. "Remembrance Day is a day to remember, it's also a day to not forget those that are still here and those that might still ... struggle with what they've endured while deployed."

Thompson honours veterans once again

Remembering past and present conflicts was also on the mind of NDP MP Niki Ashton at the Remembrance Day ceremony in Thompson, Man., on Friday.

Her partner served in the war in Afghanistan in the early 2000s.

"I've seen first-hand to which while we honour our veterans, the supports from our government aren't there the way they need to be, and the recognition as well," Ashton said.

"We should be respecting, honouring and supporting them every day, and certainly taking the lessons that they've shared with us to heart, that war is not to be repeated and that really we should all be part of building peace."

It was also the first time the northern community hosted a Remembrance Day ceremony since 2019 due to the pandemic.

She said it was importantfor the cityto come together once again to gather in remembrance.

"Thompson's always been a ceremony that includes many children and young people," Ashton said. "And it's those young people that remind us of the importance of honouring those who served."

Remembrance Day service returns to Winnipeg's convention centre after pandemic hiatus

2 years ago

Duration 2:21

Soldiers past and present spoke of duty, honour and perhaps some day an end to war during the Remembrance Day service at Winnipeg's convention centre Friday.