Thousands lined the streets of downtown Vancouver this Remembrance Day to honour those who gave their lives in service.

The ceremony took place at the Victory Square Cenotaph and veterans, military marching units and bands began marching to the cenotaph at 10 a.m.

Organizers said the event in Vancouver is one of the largest Remembrance Day events across the country, second only to the national service in Ottawa.

At 11 a.m. people were asked to observe two minutes of silence to reflect and honour those who sacrificed their lives for Canada.

This was followed by a 21-gun salute and an airforce flyover. A choir sang the iconic poem “In Flanders Fields” written by Canadian doctor and teacher John McCrae, who served in the South African War and the First World War.

Defence Minister Harjit Singh Sajjan was one of the politicians who placed a wreath at the base of the cenotaph.

Twelve-year-old William attended the Vancouver ceremony and told CTV News why the day is significant for him.

“To me Remembrance Day just means a very important day of the year where everyone comes together to remember those soldiers who are fighting or have fallen for their countries,” he said.

The boy said during the moment of silence he thought about how fortunate we are in Canada.

“How lucky we are to have this peace from the soldiers that have fought for it,” he said.

Citizens usually begin to gather around 9:30 a.m. in order to find prime spots for Vancouver’s parade. Streets around the cenotaph and parade route closed around 9 a.m. and will re-open at 12:30.

In 2015 more than 40,000 people attended the Vancouver ceremony and parade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With files from CTV Vancouver’s Nafeesa Karim

“In Flanders Fields” By John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch, be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields