'We can't let it happen again': Remembrance Day marked at Manitoba's largest ceremony

For a solemn minute on Saturday morning, hundreds of Manitobans stood silent at Winnipeg's RBC Convention Centre for the province's largest Remembrance Day ceremony.

"We thank you for joining us as we recognize our veterans for their unwavering service to Canada," said Capt. Mary-Anne Saciuk, the master of ceremonies, at the start of the ceremony.

"We recognize all our veterans have given a part of themselves to this country. Some have given it all, laying down their lives to defend the freedoms we cherish deeply."

The service started at 10:30 a.m. with a live band performance and the singing of the Canadian national anthem.

It marks the 75th anniversary of Canada's peacekeeping participation around the world, the 80th anniversary of the Italian campaign and the 70th anniversary of signing of Korean War armistice, Saciuk noted.

"Canada has a long history of helping defend and maintain peace around the world. More than 125,000 Canadian armed forces members have served in international peacekeeping efforts in dozens of countries," she said.

"We recognize them and remember their courage."

Mike MacKenzie, who was at Saturday's service, said he attended the ceremony with his father to acknowledge the sacrifices he and other veterans made.

"It's for him. It's to remember what he did," said MacKenzie.

Mackenzie's dad, Hugh MacKenzie, served in the Korean War and was the president of the Winnipeg chapter of the Korea Veterans Association.

"It's been 70 some odd years since Korea.… They call it 'the Forgotten War,'" said Mike.

"We have to remember that we can't let it happen again."

A wreath-laying ceremony followed the playing of The Last Post, a minute of silence at 11 a.m. and the reading of In Flanders Fields.

Manitoba Lt.-Gov. Anita Neville laid the first wreath, followed by Memorial Cross representative Dean Smith, federal Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham and several service members and veterans.

Peter Correia attended the ceremony to honour his late father and other veterans.

"If it wasn't for him and others like him, we wouldn't be where we are today," he said ahead of the service.

"I really, from the bottom of my heart, appreciate all the hard work and all the things that they've done for us."

The service is one of many events being held around the province on Saturday, as Canadians gather to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty and pay tribute to those who continue to serve.

Premier Wab Kinew thanked veterans for their service in a statement ahead of the ceremony.

"We are indebted to veterans and those who serve today — it is their service that has allowed each and every Manitoban to live in a safe province and participate in our strong democracy," Kinew said in a statement.

"Together, we take this day to reflect on their sacrifice and on what we must do to support those who come home after times of conflict. Our government commits to offering respect, dignity and high-quality care to veterans who call Manitoba home."

Opposition Leader Heather Stefanson also encouraged Manitobans to honour those who have served.

"Their sacrifices echo through time, reminding us of the enduring impacts of war and conflict," she said in a statement.

Remembrance Day was first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth. It was originally called Armistice Day to commemorate the armistice agreement that ended the First World War on Nov. 11, 1918, at 11 a.m.

In-person Remembrance Day events returned last year, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced 2020 and 2021 ceremonies to be cancelled, held online or held with capacity restrictions.

Last year, an estimated 2,000 members of the public were able to attend the service at the convention centre.