Thousands gather at Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum to pay respect

Every year on November 11, Canadians honour the members of our armed forces who served our nation and died in the line of duty.

Thousands of people from across the region paid their respects at a special Remembrance Day service held at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.

The 78-year-old Lancaster bomber took flight to mark Remembrance Day on Saturday. Veterans across the Golden Horseshoe and Niagara looked up as the iconic WW2 aircraft cruised through the sky above southern Ontario.

Inside the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, 2,300 people gathered to honour those who served our country in a moving ceremony.

“They put their bodies and their minds on the line, to get the job done overseas and at home. Our soldiers, sailors, and aircrew come from all parts of the country, and in the face of adversity, chaos, and danger, they did their jobs for us, and in the process, many of them gave their lives,” says David Pridham.

More than 2.3 million Canadians have served in the military, and over 118,000 of them have died in service throughout history.

READ MORE: Community vigils and school ceremonies pay tribute to Remembrance Day

Silvia Morgan served as a student nurse at Middlesex Hospital during the Second World War.

“I did have an experience of seeing one plane go into the water and that was a terrifying sight. I never want to see it again. I can see it spiraling now if I close my eyes.”

For Silvia, Remembrance Day is filled with heavy memories of horrifying sights and friends lost.

“Remembrance Day means not seeing the people you knew before.”

The veterans and members of Canada’s armed forces who spoke with CHCH News all shared a similar sentiment: it doesn’t take much time or effort to honour the people who served and continue to serve our country, but it goes a long way.

Lieutenant-General Michael Hood says, “The men and women of the Canadian armed forces and the Royal Canadian Airforce are working hard out there for Canadians every day so when you see them just thank them for their service.”