Thousands of Calgarians across the city took in ceremonies at The Military Museums, Jubilee Auditorium, Legions, and at Cenotaphs to remember those who died in armed service of Canada.

Hundreds gathered at one of Calgary’s oldest Cenotaphs at Central Memorial Park to pay particular tribute to the Calgary Highlanders Regiment, who paraded at the park in remembrance.

Master Corporal Scott Sargent, who served as the Vigil Party Commander for the Remembrance Day ceremony, said that the ceremony was really about showing reverence for those who have fallen in service, as emblemed by the four corners of the cenotaph by Highlanders with heads bowed.

“It means remembering those who came before us, who fought and died in previous conflicts, and we also remember those who are currently deployed and our colleagues who work with us every day,” he said.

He said that the message for Calgarians, and especially younger Calgarians on Remembrance Day, was to remember.

“I have the opportunity to speak at schools every year, so I usually say if they take anything away, it’s remember those who came before you who fought for your freedoms. Remember those, and thank those who are currently serving,” Sargent said.

Over the past two decades, the prominence of the ceremonies performed at the Central Memorial Cenotaph has declined, with larger ceremonies at The Military Museums and at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium drawing in thousands to both.

But Vietnam Veteran, Military Museums volunteer, and Post Commander of the American Legion Post 20 in Calgary, Joel Vecchione, said the Central Memorial service remains an important one.

“You’ve got ceremonies all over town now, CP and up the airport and various other organizations, at community centres, and even some of the Legions have their own ceremonies. I’m going to keep coming here as a matter of principle, just so that this and all the words on the Cenotaph are not forgotten,” Vecchione said.

That memorial was erected in 1924 in remembrance of the soldiers who fought in WW1, alongside an equestrian memorial to commemorate the soldiers who fought in the Second Boer War.

The words “they shall not die while memory fulfills its task of gratitude,” are prominently displayed on the east side of the Cenotaph.

That, said Vecchione, was something that should be remembered.

“Freedom isn’t free until we find a perfect world which has yet to be manifested. Somebody is going to have to be willing to go to foreign places, if necessary, and do very awkward things, just so that we can live the life that we normally do over here,” he said.

Photos from the Calgary Highlanders Remembrance Day ceremony