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Remembrance Day 2021 – BC Remembers Special

Click to play video: 'Vancouver Remembrance Day ceremony a powerful tribute'
Vancouver Remembrance Day ceremony a powerful tribute
For a second straight year, the public was asked to stay away from the Remembrance Day Ceremony in Vancouver, but as Emad Agahi reports, those who did attend say the moments of reflection remain powerful, despite the lack of crowds – Nov 11, 2021

Remembrance Day ceremony was once again held in Downtown Vancouver on Thursday, although it looked different from years past due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Officials asked residents to “remember in place” at home and watch the public service online to honour Canada’s veterans and to mark the 76th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

A modified ceremony took place at Vancouver’s Victory Square.

Click to play video: 'Remembrance Day 2021: Ottawa ceremony commemorates Canadian war dead, veterans'
Remembrance Day 2021: Ottawa ceremony commemorates Canadian war dead, veterans
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The City of Vancouver reminded everyone that Victory Square was closed, with no public wreath-laying permitted until after 4 p.m.

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There was no parade or screens for viewing the ceremony on site. Only official wreaths were placed at Victory Square by a limited number of dignitaries invited to attend in person, in order to protect the elderly and health-compromised individuals participating in the commemoration ceremony.

“We have to restrict the numbers to about 50, plus a vigil guard, much like we did last year,” Director of Ceremonies James Stanton told Global News Wednesday.

Click to play video: 'Last living member of Force 136 reflects on legacy of heroic squadron'
Last living member of Force 136 reflects on legacy of heroic squadron

The ceremony, hosted by anchor Chris Gailus, was broadcast on Global BC, and can be viewed in full on the Global BC Facebook page.

A choir sang White Cliffs of Dover, wreaths were laid and the mother of a soldier who passed away a few years ago and received the Silver Cross laid a wreath in his honour.

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This year a familiar face was also missing from the ceremony.

Longtime and former master of ceremonies, Cam Cathcart, passed away earlier this year.

Click to play video: 'Canada’s oldest living veteran honoured in Remembrance Day ceremony at Vancouver school'
Canada’s oldest living veteran honoured in Remembrance Day ceremony at Vancouver school

He was honoured during the ceremony Thursday for his work and dedication over the years.

Stanton said he wants everyone to remember the goal of this event is respect.

“These men and women gave all,” he said. “The price of freedom is not free and just remember this – in 1939 Canada was a small nation, eight million people. A million men and women answered the call, went overseas. Roughly 40,000 are still left, the average age is 94. We need to honour them.”

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He added since then, thousands of men and women have taken part in conflict and peacekeeping missions around the world.

This ceremony was about them as well.

Click to play video: 'Remembrance Day at the Royal Canadian Legion'
Remembrance Day at the Royal Canadian Legion

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