Canadians from coast to coast paused Monday to honour the sacrifices of soldiers who fought in past wars, and the many who serve in modern-day operations and conflicts around the world.
Under snowy skies, thousands in Ottawa gathered at the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial on Parliament Hill.
The ceremony opened with O Canada, which was followed by a number of time-honoured traditions, including the Last Post and a moment of silence.
A 21-gun artillery salute was fired into the sky and two CF-18 fighter jets and a pair of training aircraft roared overhead in a flypast.
There were prayers and the recitation of poet Robert Laurence Binyon's poignant lines:
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them."
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor General David Johnston were among those taking part in the Ottawa ceremony.
The two placed wreaths at the foot of the memorial, along with Niki Psiharis, the Silver Cross mother.
Her youngest son, Sgt. Chris Karigiannis, was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan in 2007.
A number of Canadian veterans participating in this year’s ceremonies are younger men and women who have recently fought in Afghanistan.
"With the Afghanistan war, many of us who've served in peacekeeping, it's been brought home," Michael Blais, founder of Canadian Veterans Advocacy, said from Ottawa. "Many of our brothers and sisters served over in Afghanistan and have paid the ultimate price. This year, it's very special."
Retired general Rick Hillier said this is an "emotional day" for soldiers and their families.
"Not only are you thinking about yourself and what you've done in your life to serve Canada, but also those who have come before us, Korea, World War 2, World War 1," he told CTV News. "It's an emotional day for every single man and woman in uniform, and I'd say an equally emotional day for their family."
Ceremonies also took place in Afghanistan Monday, where Canadians are training soldiers in a mission that's set to end next March.
Speaking from Kabul, Lt.-Gen. Stuart Beare said today was an "incredibly moving day."
"I've visited here so many times, I've seen the sacrifice that we've made here and at the home front and I've seen the progress that's been achieved," Beare said.
"I've got to tell you, for me, today validates 13 years of incredible contributions by Canadians and our partners, including Afghans themselves, in creating a better Afghanistan."
Canadian troops are set to leave Afghanistan by March 2014.
Since the mission began, 158 Canadian soldiers have been killed and thousands have been injured.
Warrant Officer Gaetan Roberge of Sudbury, Ont. was one of the men who died in Afghanistan.
On Monday, his daughter Natasha said she was moved by the impressive turnout at the Ottawa ceremony.
"There are so many people here and it's nice to see support for the troops," she told CTV News. "Most of the people here weren't even born in Canada. I think that's really special that we accept people into our country and they support our troops."
This afternoon, Harper visited Morrisburg, Ont., which was the scene of a pivotal battle in the War of 1812.
In brief remarks to the gathered crowd, Harper said that on Remembrance Day, Canadians express their “heartfelt gratitude” to Canadian Forces members past and present, “who have ever taken up arms to defend this country and the values for which we stand.”
“It is by the blood of Canada’s fallen that freedom has become the birthright of every Canadian. That is why we gather at this time every year, across Canada, in the act of remembrance. We cannot repay our debt to those we mourn, but we can cherish the freedom they won.”
