EDMONTON – Edmontonians came together across the city this Remembrance Day to pay tribute to the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Edmonton’s largest Remembrance Day ceremony took place at the Butterdome, drawing veterans, soldiers, and dignitaries such as Premier Alison Redford.
New Edmontonian Travis Young, whose grandfathers both fought in the Second World War, was among the attendees.
“It’s important to remember why people fought in the various wars,” he said.
“I want to remember everything that everyone did for us,” added Kelsey Moon. “Why we get to go to restaurants, why we get to do everything that we do on our daily lives is because of the sacrifices that other people made – so it’s just remembering and respecting as well.”
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The day was particularly important to the loved ones of those killed while serving in Afghanistan. A ceremony at the foot of the Ainsworth Dyer Bridge in Rundle Park commemorated the 158 lives lost to the war since late 2001.
Sherry Clark, whose 22-year-old son Joel Wiebe died in Afghanistan in 2007, said Remembrance Day is harder for her than the anniversary of her son’s death or his birthday.
“I think it’s the enormity, and so much loss – and not just from Afghanistan, but from all of the years. So it’s a tough, tough day for so many people. Our hearts are definitely with everyone.”
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This Remembrance Day will be the last one Canadian troops will observe in Afghanistan.
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For more than a decade, Canada’s soldiers – many based in Edmonton – have been sent to the war torn region to bring stability.
“Our soldiers did the absolute best that they could. They went where their country asked them to go,” said Clark.
Her daughter, Amanda Wiebe, laid down her brother’s cross after his name was called in the ceremony.
“I’m here to remember all the veterans, but my brother as well,” she said, “and everyone who came home not the same, or injured, it’s extremely important to be here.”
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The significance of the day is not lost on Edmonton’s youth
“It’s important to remember the soldiers who fought for us,” said young Nicholas Libicz from a ceremony at the City’s Cenotaph outside City Hall.
“I think they’re very brave to do that,” his sister Isabella added.
Meanwhile, Monday marked the first time a Remembrance Day ceremony was held at Edmonton’s Patricia Park in Griesbach Village.
The ceremony included 600 members of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry 1st Battalion, who marched through the streets. The moment of silence was held on a newly constructed plaza that holds special significance for both the PPCLI and the City of Edmonton.
“Many of us served here in Edmonton when the base was here,” said L. Col Nick Grimshaw, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion PPCLI.
“The parachute centre was here. The airborne regiment was here. There’s a number of people who have been on this very ground in a different configuration many years ago. So it’s of great significance for us but also the military community here in Edmonton.”
See more: Photos from Remembrance Day across the world
You can watch the Remembrance Day ceremonies from Ottawa below:
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