Edmontonians gather to mark Remembrance Day
Posted November 11, 2024 4:45 pm.
Last Updated November 11, 2024 7:06 pm.
The ceremony began inside City Hall, with the standing-room-only crowd listening to the Edmonton Police Service pipes and drums, and the Loyal Edmonton Regimental Band. MP Randy Boissonault and Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi delivered messages, reminding people why Remembrance Day is observed.
“Everyone who wears the uniform today looks back on the commitments and achievements of those who’ve given so much before us, and every year by coming out again, we return and renew that spirit amongst all Canadians,” said Lieutenant McKenzie Kibler, Loyal Edmonton Regiment.
The ceremony continued outdoors at the City Hall cenotaph. Hundreds of people in attendance watched as wreaths were lain on behalf of the country, province, families of fallen soldiers, and others.
Lieutenant Kibler says that many of the civilians in attendance come because of personal ties to the Canadian Forces.
“Just this last week I was at a library in Strathcona County and giving a speech about the history of our regiment, and everybody in the audience, without a fault, had somebody in their family who had served, either in the regiment or in the Canadian forces at battles, or campaigns that are so notable and so memorable. And so people coming out here today, it’s an act of community remembrance, but it’s also an act of personal remembrance for their family and their loved ones,” said Kibler.
CityNews spoke to some Edmontonians who attended the Remembrance Day ceremony.
“My dad served, my mom served in 1965 she immigrated to Canada, and very soon after she saw that she could join the military, so she did. When she finally left, she was a captain,” said one Edmontonian.
Another adding, “Four years ago today, my grandpa passed away. And it was really stressful for me, but I feel like it was also really important to come today.”
“Everybody has probably had family members who served, and I want to be here to thank them. As well as everybody else who I don’t know who had families lost, and members of their family lost to protect peace for us.”