Tuesday’s Remembrance Day ceremony was especially meaningful in Moncton, where thousands gathered to not only honour those who lost their lives fighting for their country, but also three RCMP officers who died this past June in the line of duty.
The Codiac RCMP Pipes and Drums led the procession into the Moncton Coliseum.
“I think after what Moncton’s gone through this year, it’s certainly more meaningful,” says Moncton resident Dan Woods.
Constables Dave Ross, 32, Fabrice Gevaudan, 45, and Douglas Larche, 40 were killed by a lone gunman on June 4. Constables Eric Dubois and Darlene Goguen were also wounded.
A subsequent 28-hour manhunt left much of the city paralyzed until Justin Bourque’s arrest just after midnight on June 6.
The officers’ deaths were on the minds of many who gathered at the Moncton Coliseum Tuesday morning.
“After the tough summer we had this year, it certainly makes us think about what we have, our families, and what we could lose,” says RCMP Insp. David Vautour.
“They do put their life on the line for us,” says Moncton resident Sharon Hanna. “We owe them a great deal.”
Remembrance Day ceremonies this year mark 100 years since the start of the First World War and 75 years since the start of the Second World War.
More than 100,000 Canadians lost their lives between them.
“It’s important that we make sure that younger generations don’t forget the sacrifices that have been made,” says Jonathan Coates.
Six-year-old Miah Longley was proud to attend the service in Moncton. She is proof that those sacrifices are being remembered.
“I’m thanking the soldiers that died to help the people in Canada so the people in Canada can be free.”
With files from CTV Atlantic's Jonathan MacInnis
