Over 20,000 people of all ages gathered at Vancouver’s Victory Square Monday for the 100th time to commemorate Remembrance Day despite the rain.
Remembrance Day is commemorated annually on Nov. 11 to honour the members who died in the armed forces serving their country.
“This sombre day is a reminder of the sacrifices of Canadians in two world wars and other conflicts around the globe. We also remember the price paid by their families,” B.C.’s Premier David Eby said in a news statement Monday.
“Remembrance Day also offers an opportunity to acknowledge the bravery of those who served, as well as the ongoing commitment of those who seek to preserve peace and security.”
The ceremony started in front of the cenotaph at Victory Square, then a procession took place throughout the city, and a moment of silence was held at 11 a.m.
The parade was led by the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Guard and Band.
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A Veteran who served in the British Merchant Navy and left with the title of Chief Steward Percival J Smith was present at the event and tells CityNews Vancouver how important it is for the youth to understand the significance of Remembrance Day.
“It’s a day to remember as to what (it) was all about and what the service of normal civilians (were) in order to protect freedom and the way of life,” he said.
“If they don’t have that in their mind, there’s no point in them coming here.”
Smith is a 101-year-old man who was born on the tropical island of Shilon. He says the destruction really hit him when he travelled from one port to another.
“You see the amount of casualties of civilians and (the) starvation that people are going through,” he said.
“I remember one time going into Antwerp and when our ship docked there, there must’ve been 2,000 men, women and children with plates and mugs and utensils in their hands waiting for something to eat. And I remember the cook making some soup and taking the soup down and giving them a tadle of soup each.”
Smith says it was mind-boggling for him to see some of the things he saw as a young man, some of which were “dark memories.”
However, he says he did have some good memories of the time he was serving. He says the people he lived with are the ones he misses the most now.
“We all looked after ourselves, and each one had the best interest of the other person. When it came time for, a moment of danger, you always had somebody beside you,” the veteran said.