Maritimers mark Remembrance Day under grey, rainy skies

Thousands of Maritimers turned out in wet weather Monday to remember those who have served, and continue to serve, in Canada's armed forces for Remembrance Day.

Remembrance Day services were held across the region, though some moved indoors due to rain. The service in Eastern Passage, N.S., which is home to many military members from 12 Wing Shearwater, was among those moved inside to the local legion.

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All schools and government offices and many businesses are closed across the region. A list of closures can be found here.

The leaders of Nova Scotia's top political parties have also paused their election campaigning for the day.

Several hundred people attended the Remembrance Day ceremony in Halifax's Grand Parade on Nov. 11, 2024, despite steady rain and strong wind. (Jesse Thomas/CTV Atlantic)

Halifax and Dartmouth

Despite steady rain and strong winds, several hundred people attended a Remembrance Day ceremony at Halifax’s Grand Parade.

This marks the first year the service returned to Grand Parade. Royal Canadian Legion members were forced to relocate last year’s ceremony to a location in Dartmouth, N.S., because a homeless tent encampment was occupying the ceremony space. 

• In Pictures: Marking Remembrance Day in the Maritimes

Joanne Geddes, district commander of the Nova Scotia and Nunavut legions, said she was touched to see how many people of all ages paid their respects.

"I get goosebumps. I well up," said Geddes of hearing the bands play and cannons rings out. "It's emotional in a good way, in a sad way."

Hundreds of people also attended a Remembrance Day ceremony at The Memorial in Point Pleasant Park to pay special tribute to the men and women who died while serving at sea, whether in the Royal Canadian Navy or in the merchant service.

Thousands of poppies adorned the cenotaph at Sullivan's Pond in Dartmouth, N.S., where more than 1,000 people gathered in persistent rain Monday morning. Residents of the Oakwood Terrace Nursing Home and other volunteers knitted and crocheted the poppies, in what has become an annual tradition.

As for the weather, those in attendance said coping with the rain was the least they could do to honour the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, who have fought for our country and given their lives for the freedoms we enjoy.

"It's important to remember people who sacrificed everything so we could live in a free country," said Ryan Renshaw who attended the Dartmouth ceremony.

Veterans felt comforted by the support, and said there seems to be a rising number of attendees to these ceremonies. 

"It's great. It's lovely to see. I think there's more coming out every year now for some reason," said Harold Morash, who joined the military in 1951 and served overseas in Korea.

Wreaths are seen at Carmichael Park in New Glasgow, N.S., following the Remembrance Day service on Nov. 11, 2024. (Emma Convey/CTV Atlantic)

New Glasgow, N.S.

A large crowd gathered at Carmichael Park in New Glasgow, N.S., to remember those who served and continue to serve.

Veterans said, despite the weather, it was one of their larger Remembrance Day turnouts, which meant a lot.

"When you look at the history of our wars, they weren't fought in pleasant conditions, regardless of how terrible the weather is, I always make an effort to turn out," said retired 2nd Lt. Michael Mattie.

Among those who attended the ceremony was veteran Charles MacIsaac, who served more than 25 years with the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus.

"It's great to see. We have a great turnout every year and it makes you feel good," said MacIsaac. 

Veterans attend a Remembrance Day service at Centre 200 in Sydney, N.S., on Nov. 11, 2024. (Ryan MacDonald/CTV Atlantic)

Sydney, N.S.

People gathered at Centre 200 in Sydney for the Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s official Remembrance Day ceremony. It was hosted this year by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 128 in Whitney Pier, N.S.

Roughly half of the lower bowl of the 5,000-seat arena was curtained off, and people filled many, but not all, of the seats that were allotted. Veterans and legion members paraded to the arena down Prince Street in Sydney before the event in overcast weather that saw the rain hold off.

About a thousand people attended the Remembrance Day ceremony in Fredericton at the provincial cenotaph on Nov. 11, 2024. (CTV/Nick Moore)

Windsor, N.S.

While much of the region faced heavy rain, Remembrance Day in Annapolis Valley brought calm skies and solemn reflections.

Emotions ran high as families and community members gathered to honour the sacrifices made by service members.

It was a particularly meaningful day for Betty Cochrane and Dorothy Shay who came preserve the cherished memories of their family members who served.

“My father died in the Second World War, my father-in-law fought in the First World War and my husband was in the militia,” said Betty Cochrane. “Nice to be involved in things that help others.”

Dorothy Shay remembers her partner with loving memories. She said while he did not speak about the specifics involving his time in the military, there were stories he told that she holds dear to her heart and shares when she can.

“Today is very important to me. My husband served in the Second World War. He was a wonderful person and passed away 16 years ago and we celebrate this year.”

Elizabeth Cochrane brings medals that belonged to her husband and father who were both veterans to the ceremony in Windsor, N.S., on Nov. 11, 2024. (CTV/Hafsa Arif)

Fredericton

In Fredericton, a ceremony at the provincial cenotaph brought out about 1,000 people.

A gun salute was fired from the north side of the city, corresponding with the ceremony in the capital downtown.

A parade of veterans, soldiers, cadets, and youth groups began the ceremony under heavy rain.

People gather at the Moncton Coliseum in Moncton, N.B., for a Remembrance Day service on Nov. 11, 2024. (Alana Pickrell/CTV Atlantic)

Moncton, N.B.

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 6 held its annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the Moncton Coliseum Monday. The rainy weather drew hundreds inside to observe the day, including veterans and current Canadian Armed Forces members.

"The community in Moncton, I would say, they always turn out," said Branch 6 President Robert Dupuis.

"The big thing is, is if you looked on the floor, the youth that was here, it was great. The cadet cores, the cubs, the scouts, very much involved in Remembrance Day, and that's the good part."

Dupuis says it's important to remember veterans and their sacrifice all year-round, not just on Nov. 11.

"As the president of the legion, I have been for the last 11 years, and promoting remembrance is a key factor," he said.

Wreaths adorn the cenotaph at TD Station in Saint John, N.B., on Nov. 11, 2024. (Avery MacRae)

Saint John, N.B.

Thousands of people poured into TD Station in Saint John, N.B., for the city's annual Remembrance Day service.

Residents paid their respects, including Saint John Mayor Donna Reardon, MP Wayne Long, and retired Second World War veteran Victor Burrill. Burrill served as the reviewing officer for the ceremony.

"I'm honoured," Burrill said. "I have never had my picture taken so many times as today."

Veterans, as well as members with both the Saint John Police Force and Saint John Fire Department, marched across the arena to a standing ovation near the ceremony's end.

Bernard Cormier, chairperson for the Saint John Remembrance Day Committee, says it's always an honour when Second World War veterans are present at Remembrance Day services.

"Second World War veterans are becoming fewer and fewer," Cormier noted. "We need that new generation of sailors, soldiers and aviators to participate in these services."

People gather for the Remembrance Day ceremony in Charlottetown on Nov. 11, 2024. (CTV/Josh Smith)

Charlottetown

Remembrance Day ceremonies took place in Charlottetown Monday morning. Streets in front of Province House and the surrounding area were closed as many residents braved the wet and cold for over 40 minutes to pay their respects.

Dignitaries in attendance included P.E.I. Lt.-Gov. Dr. Wassim Salamoun and local MP Sean Casey.

Silver Cross Mother Maureen Anderson pictured next to photographs of her two sons, Sgt. Ron Anderson and Sgt. Ryan Anderson. (Sarah Plowman / CTV News)

Silver Cross Mother is from N.B.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon paid their respects during a ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.

They were joined by this year's Silver Cross Mother, Maureen Anderson, who is from New Brunswick. Anderson’s two sons, Sgt. Ron Anderson and Sgt. Ryan Anderson, both served in Afghanistan. They both died after a battle with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Maureen Anderson represented the mothers left behind by service members killed in the line of duty.

Flypasts across Atlantic Canada

Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) planned flypasts at 17 locations in Atlantic Canada.

RCAF helicopters were scheduled to fly at low altitudes over ceremonies in McAdam, N.B., and Happy Valley-Goose Bay in central Labrador.

Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were set to fly over 15 communities across Nova Scotia.

Some of those communities include Halifax, Dartmouth, Bridgewater, Chester, Lunenburg and Mahone Bay.

Halifax light show

The Downtown Halifax Business Commission says a Remembrance Day Light Show will be projected onto the former Halifax Memorial Library from 5:30 - 11 p.m. Monday.

With files from The Canadian Press, CTV Atlantic's Emma Convey, Ryan MacDonald, Nick Moore, Hafsa Arif, and Paul DeWitt.