Hundreds of Calgarians laid poppies on small wooden crosses in the Field of Crosses on Monday, to honour those who lost their lives fighting for Canadian freedom.
Poems and prayers were recited for the crowd, wreaths were laid and the Cantare Children’s Choir led the attendees in songs of remembrance and appreciation.
A roll call also paid tribute to 33 southern Alberta soldiers who lost their lives during the Second World War.
People marked Remembrance Day at events all around the city, including the Military Museums, to allow people to honour those who served their country and pay respects to those who lost their lives.
Jack Hilton’s legacy was one celebrated at The Hangar Flight Museum on Monday, with the Second World War fighter pilot’s family coming together to remember him.
Hilton wanted to be remembered not as a hero, “just as a survivor.” He passed away in March, just one month shy of his 100th birthday. Hilton completed 100 operations across Europe during the war.
Remembrance Day this year was different for Hilton’s family, who now add one of their own to the list of those to be remembered.
“He would thoroughly enjoy all of this,” Hilton’s daughter Sandra Kratz said. “He was a very outgoing positive individual. He always saw the good in everybody and everything and he didn’t think of himself as a hero.”