Montreal honours soldiers in Remembrance Day ceremony
The Royal Canadian Legion in Quebec held its official Remembrance Day ceremony at Place du Canada
Veterans, cadets and civilians are taking part in Remembrance Day ceremonies and commemorations across Montreal today to honour the service and sacrifice of the men and women of Canada's military.
The Royal Canadian Legion in Quebec held its official Remembrance Day ceremony at Place du Canada in downtown Montreal Friday.
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Canon fire marked the beginning of the moment of silence at 11 a.m., which was followed by a 21-gun salute.
Dennis Fredricks has not missed a Remembrance Day ceremony in Montreal since he returned from the Second World War in 1945. He was just 16 when he enlisted in the army in 1940.
"Well, like everyone, you have lots of ups and downs," he said. "Friends you're with and you lost. It's all part of war."
"I lost my good pal in the Dieppe raid. He was only 18 when he died."
Still, Fredricks, at age 93, remains thankful for what he does have today.
"I'm in good health. I have a family," he said. "It's a happy day and a sad day in a sense."
Mayor Denis Coderre, Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly and Transport Minister Marc Garneau were among the dignitaries in attendance and laid wreaths at the base of the cenotaph in the square.
As representatives from different organizations laid their wreaths, the band started playing Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. The Montreal singer-songwriter died this week at 82.
The event has been held at McGill University in recent years. However, this year's ceremony returned to Place du Canada now that renovations there are complete and also due to construction in front of McGill's campus.
There were also ceremonies in other communities across Quebec, including in Pointe-Claire and at the Royal Military College in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
