Crowds gather to mark Remembrance Day at Nova Scotia ceremonies

Hundreds gathered at ceremonies in Nova Scotia this Remembrance Day to pay tribute to those who have served our country and continue to serve.

At Halifax’s Grand Parade, wreaths were laid to pay tribute to those who fought for freedom.

Amongst them was Ellen Pitcher, this year’s Silver Cross Mother in Halifax. Her son, Sgt. David Pitcher, was killed during a training exercise in Alaska 30 years ago.

“I’m very proud of my sons, and of my oldest son, which was Dave, and it shows me we did something right,” she said.

David’s brother, Robert Pitcher, is the Bedford Legion’s president and says he continues to look up to his older sibling.

“He was always the big brother, the protector. When he joined the military, he actually was one of the influences behind me joining the military,” he said.

“It’s always painful to remember the sad times but we also remember the great times we had.”

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. Veterans Affairs Canada estimates there are just under 3,700 surviving Canadian veterans from that war left.

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George Della Valle, president of the Nova Scotia Nunavut Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, says it’s important to be thankful today and every day.

“I would like to thank all the veterans in Canada and around the world, and the members that are serving today, that they be safe and God bless,” he said.

2:03 Remembrance Day ceremony at Sullivan’s Pond in Dartmouth

In Lower Sackville, a ceremony was held at the legion branch, where the names of veterans who have lost their lives were read aloud.

The legion’s president says she was happy to see such a large turnout because the day hits close to home for many in the community.

“We just wanted to make sure everybody remembers their relatives who did not come back, as well as serving members who have gone,” said Ricci Hawkins.

“It’s hard to lose a member of a family that’s in the military. I know I’ve lost two or three.”

In Dartmouth, a ceremony was held at Sullivan’s Pond, where crowds gathered around the cenotaph to pay their respects and poppies lined the fences entering the park.

David Lupton, who has been to ceremonies across Canada and has children in the navy, said the ceremony left him stunned.

“Never, ever have I seen a turnout as large as this. This is just … I’m floored. Absolutely phenomenal. Very, very impressed,” he said.

Veteran Dana McLellan said she wanted to attend the ceremony to remember those who have fallen and those who continue to struggle after deployment.

“I hope they remember that service is volunteering. Nobody forces anybody to volunteer to serve, and it’s not only the member that makes the sacrifice but also their families, their friends and their colleagues,” she said.

She added it’s empowering to see younger people participating in the ceremony and hopes they can carry on the lessons of the day.

“It makes us extremely happy and proud to see people remembering, and if the students of today forget then, you know, potentially we will make the mistakes of the past in the future.”

— With a file from Global News’ Mitchell Bailey