Hundreds gather for Remembrance Day service in Halifax

Hundreds of people gathered in Halifax’s Grand Parade in honour of Remembrance Day on Tuesday, months after the 80th anniversary of the end  of the Second World War.

“There were many, many families in Nova Scotia who had several sons and daughters serve at one time for the freedom of all Canadians. We will never forget them,” said Tom Young, the chairman of the Nova Scotia Nunavut Command of the Royal Canadian Legion, during his opening remarks at the annual service.

A two-minute moment of silence took place at 11 a.m. to commemorate those who have fallen and remember the sacrifice of all who have served. 

George Della Valle, president of the Nova Scotia Nunavut Command, recited the Act of Remembrance following the moment of silence, reading an excerpt from Laurence Binyon's For the Fallen.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning. We will remember them," he read.

Della Valle, who typically marks Remembrance Day in Sydney at Centre 200, said he was thrilled to participate in the outdoor ceremony at Grand Parade for the first time.

"This is wonderful," he said. "The ceremony, the people that came out today, is unbelievable. "

Chaplain Steven Cochrane led the group in prayer.

“We remember those who died, not for war, but for a world that could be at peace,” he said. “We give thanks for all the blessings we receive as this year we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.” 

The traditional laying of the wreaths on the Halifax Grand Parade cenotaph, which commemorates the 1,360 men and women from the city who died in the First World War, was initiated by Nova Scotia Lt.-Gov. Mike Savage.

Wreaths were laid by a number of veterans, community organizations and family members, many in honour of lost loved ones. 

Every year, a mother who has been bestowed with the Memorial Cross, also known as the Silver Cross, lays a wreath at the ceremony. The medal is given to those whose children have died while serving. 

This year’s Silver Cross Mother at the Halifax ceremony was Ellen Pitcher, 86. Her son Sgt. David Pitcher was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 22, 1995, when a Boeing E-3B Sentry AWACS from the 962nd Airborne Air Control Squadron crashed shortly after takeoff for routine surveillance training.

“It means a lot because I'm very proud of my sons, and my oldest son, which was Dave, and so it gives me [the feeling] we did something right,” she said.