Londoners honour Remembrance Day for second pandemic year
CBC
Around a couple hundred Londoners surrounded Victoria Park's Cenotaph for Thursday's annual Remembrance Day ceremonies.
Although marching and a flyover were omitted from the ceremony, this year had markedly more spectators than the last. November 2020's event allowed for only some 25 people due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It's just good to see everybody out on Remembrance Day," said Sergeant Jeff Wybo. "For the last two years, it's kind of been a bit more quieter. So it's nice to see the people out, and it's nice to reflect on one hundred years of this."
Officially, the City of London discouraged spectators from attending the ceremony due to health restrictions. Regardless, many stood behind a police perimeter while invitees were designated closer to the monument.
Wreaths were laid at the foot of the Cenotaph following the traditional moment of silence at 11 a.m.
Silver Cross Mother Carolyn Wilson was first to lay a wreath in honour of her son, Trooper Mark Wilson, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2006.
Wilson has been London's Silver Cross Mother for 15 years since his death.
"I certainly have a heart full of lots of memories of standing here each year," Wilson said. "I always tend to get real teary as they're progressing through the ceremony."
She said this year felt more "normal" and expressed appreciation for the support she's received from London.
MP Peter Fragiskatos, Mayor Ed Holder, and Chief of Police Steve Williams were among those to lay the remaining wreaths.
Brigadier General Mark Campbell presented a wreath on behalf of the Canadian Armed Forces.
"Remembrance Day is mixed for people. People who have been overseas, people who have lost friends, it's a harder day for them," said Campbell.
"But it's also a day where people take pride in being in uniform and certainly, people in uniform when they see the support of a city, see citizens come out, it gives them a warm feeling inside."
With no march to observe, the crowd of spectators was quick to disperse once the ceremony was complete. But Campbell said the meaning of the day had not been lost. "We're remembering the people who stood up and volunteered to serve, and felt there was something that was bigger than themselves that they wanted to do," he said.