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The sunday before remembrance day is always a solemn day; and today was no exception. Hundreds gathered in Hamilton’s Gore Park, and ceremonies were held at other Cenotaphs around the country, to honour those who gave their lives in service to our country. One burst of ceremonial cannon fire in front of the Gore Park Cenotaph and another, with a war plane flying overhead.

Linda Learn’s son, Mark Graham was killed while serving in Afghanistan in 2006. “I always appreciate the plane flying over. The plane and the cannon at the same time are pretty powerful. We’re representing the parents of many fallen soldiers. It’s a big burden every year. It’s not my favourite day.” The memorial ceremony is back at the Gore Park Cenotaph after a hiatus for renovations and the war in Afghanistan has been etched into the stone. “Do we feel appreciated? I think so. When you see the crowds, you see the people marching. Yeah, you feel appreciated. Especially when I look at the new Cenotaph, and the new work they’ve done here. It’s very powerful. I would hope people have an opportunity to come and look at it.”

Many people say their thoughts were of Corporal Nathan Cirillo, gunned down last year while on guard at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. The sight was poignant, even for those who don’t personally know any fallen soldiers.