Crowds gather at National War Memorial, Cenotaphs across Ottawa on Remembrance Day

Large crowds gathered at the National War Memorial in downtown Ottawa and at Cenotaphs across the region on Remembrance Day, to honour the men and women who served in times of war, military conflict and peace.

On a cold, cloudy morning in the capital, the National Remembrance Day ceremony was held at the National War Memorial, with military members, dignitaries and the public joining Governor General Mary Simon, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Silver Cross Mother Gloria Hooper.

• IN PICTURES: Marking Remembrance Day in Ottawa

"We remember those who answered when their country called, those who fought and those who died for something greater than themselves," Most Reverend Scott McCaig, Roman Catholic Military Ordinariate of Canada, said during the ceremony.

"From this very spot a little over a decade ago, our departed friend and colleague Rabbi Reuven Bulka reminded us that when we look at our veterans, we are looking at the very best of Canada. They are our true heroes.

"We honour them best by simply not remembering their name, or even recalling their sacrifices, but by remembering what they died for."

The Last Post was played, followed by two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. to commemorate the time the armistice went into effect on Nov. 11, 1918, ending the First World War. Local Army Reservists from the Ottawa-based 30th Field Artillery Regiment fired 105-millimetre blank ammunition gun salutes in honour of Remembrance Day.

"It is an opportunity to reflect; reflect on past wars, reflect on those who we knew but also reflect on our future and on the challenges in our world, in our country and our armed forces are facing," Gen. Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff, told CTV News.

A person wearing a mitten embroidered with a poppy lays a poppy on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, after the National Remembrance Day Ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe laid a wreath at the National Remembrance Day ceremony on behalf of all Ottawa residents.

The Remembrance Day fly-by by Canadian Armed Forces CF-18 Hornets and a vintage plane at the National War Memorial was cancelled due to the weather conditions.

At the National Military Cemetery at Beechwood Cemetery, a Remembrance Day service was held for military members and their families.

"It's very important to me because I know a lot of people who are in here," veteran Philip Berikoff said.

Yvonne Cadieux was thinking of her late husband on Remembrance Day. Albert Oscar Cadieux served with the Canadian Armed Forces for 35 years.

"I think it’s wonderful that people still remember and they really want to come to these ceremonies," Cadieux said. "You think it was a long time ago but it wasn’t."

Richard and Claire Leger attended the Remembrance Day ceremony in Stittsville to remember their son Mark, who died in Afghanistan.

"It's the families that are left behind," Richard said. "We are suffering all the time, we don't stop."

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre also attended the Remembrance Day ceremony in Stittsville.

At the Remembrance Day service in Barrhaven, Igor Marques gave thanks for the country his family now calls home.

"It's especially important for them who grow up in this country to develop gratitude for the sacrifices of those who came before us," Marques said.

For retired Col. Kevin Brown, the moment of silence serves as a vow to never forget, remembering all those who came before him. That includes his grandfather, who fought in the Second World War.

"My daughter joined recently as a human resources clerk so she is carrying on my torch as I carry on my grandfather's torch."

The prime minister issued a statement on Remembrance Day, encouraging Canadians to honour Canadian Armed Forces members.

"On November 11 of every year, we wear our red poppies and observe two minutes of silence to honour the brave members in uniform who risked everything to defend the values that we hold dear," Trudeau said. "We pay tribute to the women and men Veterans. When Canadians have fought during times of war and conflict, they've done so in defence of values like freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. Today, we recommit ourselves to promoting these values that guide us in our mission to create a better Canada and world."

Trudeau added Remembrance Day is not just about the past but also the present and future.

"From the battlefields of the First and Second World Wars, to Korea and Afghanistan, and in peacekeeping operations, to the training grounds for Ukrainian soldiers, and here at home, responding to a global pandemic and to climate-related disasters, Canadian Armed Forces members continue to show unwavering resolve and bravery."

Veterans march on during the National Remembrance Day Ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Silver Cross Mother

This year's Silver Cross Mother is Gloria Hooper.

Hooper's son, Chris Holopina, was deployed as part of Operation Alliance. Sapper Holopina was killed when a Canadian armoured vehicle crashed into a ravine while trying to help rescue a group of British soldiers from a mine field. He was the first Canadian to die as part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission to Bosnia.

Hooper placed a wreath at the National War Memorial on behalf of all Canadian mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the military service of Canada.

With files from CTV News Ottawa's Natalie van Rooy and Katelyn Wilson and The Canadian Press