On a sunny Wednesday in downtown Montreal, about a hundred people gathered for the annual Remembrance Day ceremony, paying tribute to Canada’s war veterans and those who lost their lives in service. The event took place at Place du Canada, where retired lieutenant-colonel Colin Robinson emphasized the importance of reflection on the dangers of war, especially in light of current global tensions. He remarked, "These things can spiral out of control relatively quickly," drawing parallels between the lead-up to the two world wars and today's geopolitical climate. Robinson expressed hope that increased awareness could lead to reduced conflict and war.

The ceremony featured a military parade and the singing of the national anthem shortly before 11 a.m., coinciding with the ringing of bells from nearby St. George’s Anglican Church. A 21-gun salute resonated through the area, causing flocks of birds to take flight, while bagpipes played near the war memorial. Organizers had cautioned attendees about the potential for temporary hearing discomfort from the blank rounds used during the salute, though they posed no danger. Dignitaries, including Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada, participated in laying wreaths at the memorial, with one wreath specifically honoring four soldiers who died in a training accident at CFB Wainwright, Alberta, last month, where a grass fire injured 39 others.S1S2

Col. Lisa Pacarynuk, chaplain general of the Canadian Armed Forces, spoke during the ceremony about the profound impacts of war, highlighting the lives cut short, families separated, and the enduring physical and emotional scars left behind. "Their experiences remind us that peace is precious, that freedom must never be taken for granted, and that the consequences of conflict extend far beyond the battlefield," she stated. Attendees observed two minutes of silence at 11 a.m., marking the moment when fighting ceased in the First World War on November 11, 1918.S1S2

Reflecting on the passage of time, Robinson noted the dwindling number of Second World War veterans he encountered when he joined his regiment in 1989, stating, "You don’t realize that it’s going to go away." Among the attendees was Pierre Saint-Louis, a former member of the Canadian Navy and infantry, who became emotional as he shared the significance of the ceremony. "It’s hard to explain; you just feel it, there are things you believe in," he said, stressing the importance of supporting living veterans and the families of military personnel.S1S2