CALGARY- Hundreds of people gathered among thousands of white crosses for one of many Remembrance Day ceremonies in Calgary on Tuesday.
At the Field of Crosses along Memorial Drive, more than 3000 crosses represent soldiers from southern Alberta that made the ultimate sacrifice.
For eleven days, sunrise and sunset ceremonies took place at the display, with the last one wrapping up Tuesday morning before Remembrance Day ceremonies.
Jim Welsh of the Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Unit says it was an emotional morning.
“It’s just amazing. People are actually paying respect. “
He says he believes that people are choosing to mark Remembrance Day differently this year in light of the recent attacks in Ottawa and Quebec.
“Huge difference, “ Welsh said. “The Veterans Food Drive collected four tones of food… It’s incredible”.
Over the past 6 years, the memorial project has become a popular place for Calgarians to pay their respects.
Calgary Police Chief Rick Hanson said that in light of recent attacks on Canadian soldiers, there was more police presence at the Field of Crosses ceremony this year.
“There’s a lot of anxiety this year,” explained Hanson. “Part of it was a consorted effort to be more visible at the ceremonies this year”.
Among those participating in the ceremony at the Field of Crosses was the Children’s Choir, the Calgary Fire Department’s Pipes and Drum band and countless veterans.
Another moving Remembrance Day ceremony was held Tuesday morning at the Jubilee Auditorium.
The services there were organized by the Calgary United Veterans Association.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi was among those who took the stage to honour those who have served our country.
The mayor spoke about the pride Canadians feel in our soldiers who fought and are currently fighting overseas.
“While we’re deeply indebted to those who fought for us and died, we’re also proud of those who currently serve and we’re also proud of the modern veterans. Those who’ve returned from fields of conflict, particularly in Afghanistan. Because they’ve given a lot to express who we are as Canadians and our national desire to make the world better, to make the world safer. Not just for us but for others. To give others around the world a tiny taste of that peace and freedom that we enjoy everyday. So girls can go to school, so that women can run for office, so that people around the world can worship as they wish, can gather as they wish, can express themselves as they wish, can participate in the future of their own lives and their own nations,” Nenshi said.
The ceremony at the Jubilee was followed by an outdoor march.
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