Northern Ont. marks Remembrance Day with lessons of love and peace

It was a day to remember, a day to honour and a day to pay tribute to those soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Red poppies were worn and moments of silence were taken across northern Ontario as the north and the country from coast-to-coast took part in Remembrance Day ceremonies.

Three children, Kolton Giroux, sister Charleighand friend Adrianna Lamarche-Jones handed out coloured cut-out poppies and painted pebbles to cadets, veterans and service men and women at North Bay's Remembrance Day ceremony. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)The ceremony in North Bay started out with a tribute of thanks.

Three children, five-year-old Kolton Giroux, his nine-year-old sister Charleigh Giroux and friend Adrianna Lamarche-Jones, also nine, were handing out coloured cut-out poppies and painted pebbles to cadets, veterans and service men and women.

"Last time was our first time doing it and now we're going to do it every year," said Kolton.

"We just wanted to give them the gift to say 'thank you' for what they've done," said Charleigh.

A normally buzzing Memorial Gardens fell to complete silence as the notes of The Last Post rang out. It was a chance to reflect on great sacrifice.

“We need to pay our respects to our veterans," said Vincent Foisy, who attended the ceremony. "They're worth it and they've worked hard for us."

Every year, there are fewer and fewer Second World War veterans. According to Veterans Affairs Canada, there are just under 10,000 veterans from WW II and the Korean War who are still alive in Canada.

Kayla Heaslip's grandfather fought in WW II.

"Unfortunately he's no longer with us,” she said.

“I'm actually wearing his poppy today."

North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico was one of the dignitaries to lay a wreath.

"My uncle, who I never met, was killed two weeks before June 6," he said.

"He was a flight sergeant with the RCAF and he was killed in a training run."

North Bay has a large military legacy. From those who went overseas, to the 400 men and women still serving today at 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base surveying and protecting North American skies.

While speaking to the over 1,500 people at the ceremony, base commander Col. Richard Jolette had to wipe his tears while reflecting on the sacrifice military families play.

Col. Richard Jolette wipes a tear from his eye while addressing the crowd at Memorial Gardens during North Bay's Remembrance Day ceremony. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontairo)"People often forget that it's not just the members that are in the uniform but it's the people at home behind the uniform," said Jolette.

"There's long absences and deployment."

Jolette spoke about Canada's continued peacekeeping role and missions with our allies overseas.

Canadian Special Forces are on the ground in Israel and 300 Canadian Armed Forces members are in Ukraine offering training and support and delivering military aid all in the name of peace.

"We did achieve that peace here today. Even if it was for a few moments," said Jolette.

"That's what we hope to have everywhere in the world."

As another Remembrance Day comes to an end, the turnout here in North Bay serves as a reminder that this city will never forget.

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Dozens of people welcomed veterans and service men and woman during the Remembrance Day ceremony at Hollinger Park in Timmins. (Lydia Chubak/CTV News Northern Ontario)In Timmins, the Remembrance Day ceremony took place in Hollinger Park.

Dozens of people welcomed the procession as it marched from the Algonquin Regiment's Cassidy Armoury to the cenotaph. There they stood in a collective moment of silence; a prayer was delivered; ‘In Flanders Fields’ was recited and ‘O Canada’ and ‘God Save the King’ were sung.

Angele Desormeaux said she has attended the ceremony for decades.

"It’s close to my heart," said Desormeaux.

"I had the privilege of writing my dad’s journal and translating it when he came back from the War and from that, the big realization of how grateful I am to be here."

Desormeaux's father, Rene Real St. Pierre served in World War II as a Burma Bomber. He passed away in 2011.

"It could have gone very differently for him during the war but he’s always been my hero, always will be my hero," said Desormeaux.

Hundreds gathered in downtown Sault Ste. Marie for the Remembrance Day ceremonies. (Mike McDonald/CTV News Northern Ontario)Meanwhile, in the Sault, hundreds gathered downtown for the Remembrance Day ceremonies, which included a gathering at the cenotaph.

Brass bands and bagpipes played before and after speeches from local dignitaries, veterans and current serving military members.

The president of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 told CTV News it was grateful to the crowds that showed up for the day's ceremonies.

"I want to thank the citizens of Sault Ste. Marie, again, for their support,” said legion president Pierre Breckenridge.

“It's humbling to see the support they give on behalf of veterans and serving members."

Legion officials said members are still gathering at the Marconi Multicultural Event Centre while construction continues on their new building.

Veterans, current service men and women, first responders, cadets and several groups marched onto the ice pad at the Sudbury Community Arena to honour those who have fought for peace. (Supplied)In Greater Sudbury, hundreds gathered for what officials said was the largest Remembrance Day service since the pandemic.

Veterans, current service men and women, first responders, cadets and several groups marched onto the ice pad at the Sudbury Community Arena to honour those who have fought for peace.

One by one the groups took turns laying wreaths at the makeshift cenotaph in the arena.

Among those honoured this year was the Silver Cross Mother from Espanola, Jane Byers.

Jane’s son Private David Robert James Byers was killed in 2006 while serving in Afghanistan.

"I'm just overwhelmed at the turnout today, it's the first time that I've been at the Sudbury event for Remembrance Day but it was very, very nice,” said Jane.

“It was an honour to be asked to lay the wreath here."

Sudbury Mayor Paul Lefebvre called it a “beautiful ceremony.”

“There's a lot of events going on right here and certainly at the Sudbury Community Arena we're able to gather, have a lot of participants that are here,” he said.

“A really good crowd of people showing their support as well. It's always a touching ceremony."

Being Saturday, local legions had asked the school boards to help get the word out to students about the events so young people could attend if they wished.

– With files from CTV News Northern Ontario video journalists Ian Campbell, Lydia Chubak and Mike McDonald