Laying wreaths to remember the fallen
It was a sombre morning for Debbie Warren as she joined dozens at Beechwood Cemetery to remember Canada's fallen soldiers and veterans.
"This is my son, Jason," said Warren pointing to a memorial wall that showed a photo of Cpl. Jason Warren, a Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan in 2006. "He was with the Blackwatch. He was two days from coming home when he was killed by a suicide bomber."
He was one of thousands honoured and remembered at the National Military Cemetery for the annual Wreaths Across Canada ceremony.
"This is something so generous we can give to them are these wreaths," said Wreaths Across Canada president Cyndi Mills. "We've got $40,000 in wreaths we are laying on the graves of the people that have served our country."
It's the first time Warren has attended the event. Surrounded by family and together with her daughter, Sgt. Rachelle Warren, she laid a wreath on Jason's headstone.
"I didn't expect to get so emotional," she said as she held back the tears. "Every time I see his grave I have a difficult time but I'm really happy we did it."
"The opportunity to lay this wreath with my mom is very emotional but it means a lot," added Sgt. Rachelle Warren with the Royal Canadian Air Force. "I think it's also important for my daughter who never got a chance to know her uncle… to be here… so his memory is kept alive."
The tradition started nearly a decade ago after retired Royal Canadian Air Force warrant officer Craig McPhee saw wreaths laid on the headstones of service members in Arlington, VA. McPhee passed away last year but his legacy continues on, as organizers and those who continue to serve hope to grow the number of wreaths and ceremonies hosted across the country.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6977430.1721929538!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
LIVE UPDATES Multiple homes, businesses 'lost' to wildfire in Jasper National Park: Parks Canada
Officials from Parks Canada and Jasper say "multiple structures, including a number of businesses and homes, in and around the town of Jasper, have been lost" to wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have been destroyed in a wildfire.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Former judge with disputed Cree heritage likely has Indigenous DNA: law society
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
Tourist suffers 3rd-degree burns to feet after losing flip flops amid soaring temperatures in Death Valley
A tourist was hospitalized after suffering serious burns on his feet on Saturday when he lost his flip flops at a U.S. national park where temperatures soared past 48 Celsius.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.
'Skibidi Toilet:' If you don't know what it is, you will
'Skibidi Toilet' is already an internet sensation and now its about to get even more exposure after the YouTube series is being developed for TV and film, according to a report by Variety.