Remembrance Day ceremony pays tribute to Battle of Ortona and Italian campaign

Calgarians marked Remembrance Day across the city today, honouring the sacrifices of all of those who served the country, and taking a minute to remember the veterans who didn't return home.

At the Field of Crosses, a parade of uniformed men and women representing the Canadian Armed Forces and Calgary first responders marched down Memorial Drive to the ceremony, accompanied by the Calgary Fire Department's Pipes and Drums band.

A large crowd attended the service.

"It was so nice looking out over the thousands of people who were here this morning," said Murray McCann, the Field of Crosses founder.

Spectators stood in the street, facing the field of crosses. Each attended the Remembrance Day service for their own particular reason.

Jessica Gillingham held a picture of her grandfather, Jack Gillingham, a Canadian Navy member during the Second World War, as she watched the ceremony. "I just want people to remember him," Gillingham said.

"He didn't talk much about it so I've been digging to find out more about what he did."

More than 3,500 white crosses commemorate fallen soldiers from southern Alberta along Memorial Drive every year.

"Each of these memorial markers represent a person. They're not just a row of crosses, they're a row of people. People who had dreams, hopes and ambitions," said Sean Libin, who sits on the board of directors for the Field of Crosses memorial.

Today's Remembrance Day ceremony paid special tribute to the Battle of Ortona, part of the Italian campaign during the Second World War.

According to The Canadian Encyclopedia, the Battle of Ortona, fought in December 1943, was one of the toughest battles the Canadian forces fought during the war. The month-long campaign resulted in more than 2,300 Canadian casualties, and approximately 500 deaths, but eventually won the town of Ortona, Italy, for the Allies.

"We lost so many wonderful brave Canadians in that campaign," Libin said.

A public moment of silence was held at the Field of Crosses and many other locations across the city. Others marked the 11th hour of Nov. 11 with a private moment.

"Whether they stand and take a moment of silence in their living rooms, or pull their car over and take a moment ... that's really what it's about," said Libin.