Canadians to honour veterans, fallen soldiers in Remembrance Day ceremony
Global News
The ceremony comes as defence leaders have warned the world is facing unprecedented security threats and thousands of Canadian troops have responded to domestic disasters.
Canadians will gather at cenotaphs across the country on Saturday to honour the military servicemen and women who put their lives on the line, with thousands set to attend the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa.
The service, however, comes as defence leaders have spent much of the past year warning the world is facing unprecedented security threats amid the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Israel and the Gaza Strip, and rising tensions with India and China.
It also is taking place after a year that saw the Canadian Armed Forces deploy thousands of troops to battle domestic disasters, including the historic wildfires that blazed a trail of destruction from coast to coast to coast.
But as Canada takes in all that has happened in the past year, eyes turn to those who have fought in battles around the world from the Second World War to the Korean War, as well as more recent conflicts like that in Afghanistan.
More than one million Canadians served in the Second World War. More than 45,000 died and another 55,000 were wounded. Another 33,000 fought in the Korean War.
Veterans Affairs Canada says there are 9,267 veterans of the Second World War and Korean War who are still alive in Canada.
Gov.-Gen. Mary Simon, who is Canada’s commander-in-chief, will be in attendance and preside over the ceremony.
For the government, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to attend alongside Veterans Affairs Minister Ginette Petitpas-Taylor.