REMEMBERANCE DAY!

Thousands of Canadians gathered at the
National War Memorial
in Ottawa today, paying their respects to those
who died and those who risked their lives
in the fight for freedom.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean
arrived at the Remembrance Day ceremony just before 11 a.m.
ET, along with an estimated 25,000 people who came out
despite drizzling rain and overcast conditions.
The prime minister was accompanied by his wife Laureen
and children Ben and Rachel.
A military band played the national anthem, the Canadian flag
was lowered to half mast and a moment of silence was observed
to begin the ceremony.
A minister then gave a brief address, paying tribute to fallen
soldiers and those who continue to serve their country.
"We acknowledge the need to protect and defend that which
the world cannot bear to lose: liberty, peace and a future that
holds promise for our people and for all people in the world,"
the minister said.
"For those who have served in the armed forces of our
country in times of war and peace, throughout our history and
in our day, and who did not count the cost when the time came
to sacrifice, we give you thanks."
Jean laid the first wreath at the foot of the memorial, followed
by a steady stream of people paying their respects.
Later, veterans took part in the "march past," one of the
favourite traditions of the Ottawa ceremony, when former
soldiers parade past and salute the prime minister and
governor general, followed by troops currently serving in the
Canadian Forces.
Controversy erupted at last year's ceremony when about
25 veterans turned their backs on Jean as a protest against
her perceived support for Quebec separatists. Jean, who
was newly appointed at the time, has pledged her loyalty
to Canada and denied claims she supports separatism.
This year's Silver Cross Mother, Alice Murphy of
Conception Harbour, N.L., made the sign of the cross
as she stood before the soaring granite memorial.
Muphy's son, 26-year-old Cpl. Jamie Murphy, was
killed Jan. 27, 2004, in Kabul when a suicide bomber
jumped onto the hood of his jeep.
In a statement released Saturday morning, Harper said
Remembrance Day is a time to mourn the fallen, but
also to celebrate Canada's proud military traditions.
"Canada has always answered the call to stand up for
freedom, democracy, human rights and rule of law,"
Harper said. "Our commitment to these values is being
tested yet again in Afghanistan, and Canadians are rightly
proud of the work our brave soldiers are doing to help
those less fortunate than us.
Their courage and devotion to duty inspires us all."
Ceremonies will also take place across Canada
throughout the day, honouring the more than 100,000
Canadian soldiers who have been killed in the past 100
years.
An especially sombre Remembrance Day ceremony took
place in Truro, Nova Scotia.
Three soldiers with ties to the town -- Warrant Officer
Frank Mellish, Corporal Christopher Reid and Sergeant
Darcy Tedford -- were killed in Afghanistan in recent weeks.
The mothers of the three men held hands as they
approached the cenotaph to place a wreath.
Ceremonies in Afghanistan
In Afghanistan, Canadian soldiers paid tribute to both
the 42 comrades they have lost since 2002, and those
who sacrificed their lives in past campaigns around the world.
More than 400 Canadian soldiers gathered for a solemn
Remembrance Day ceremony at the main Kandahar airfield
base Saturday, laying a number of wreaths at a memorial
as a bugler played the Last Post.
While the Canadian flag flew at half-mast, soldiers observed
a moment of silence in honour of those who have died.
Meanwhile, during another emotionally-charged ceremony
at a forward operating base in the Panjwaii district of
southern Afghanistan, about 100 soldiers gathered for a
simple but moving ceremony.
The soldiers laid a wreath at a wooden cross, and some
wept as they knelt at the makeshift memorial.
The ceremony was led by a sergeant major from the
second battalion with the Princess Patricia's Light
Canadian Infantry.
He told the soldiers they will get through their mission
if they stay tough, and offered words of remembrance for
the dead.
American forces in Afghanistan also remembered their dead
on Saturday, holding a ceremony at Bagram air base north of
Kabul.
The ceremonies in Afghanistan were only a brief respite
from the reality of war, with troops dealing with the threat
of suicide attacks and Taliban ambushes on a daily basis.
This year has been especially difficult for Canadian soldiers,
with 34 killed in Afghanistan. Since 2002, 42 Canadian
soldiers and one diplomat have died while serving in
Afghanistan.
With files from The Canadian Press