NL

Lest we forget: Large crowd surrounds National War Memorial in St. John's

Sunshine beamed on the annual Remembrance Day ceremony in downtown St. John's Wednesday, as a large crowd came to pay their respects.

War veterans, dignitaries and citizens converge on National War Memorial

A decorated war veteran salutes during the singing of O Canada at the National War Memorial in St. John's. (CBC)

Sunshine beamed on the annual Remembrance Day ceremony in downtown St. John's Wednesday, as a large crowd came to pay their respects. 

Both Water Street and Duckworth Street were blocked as war veterans and dignitaries placed wreaths at the National War Memorial. 

Among them were Silver Cross Mother Agnes Howlett and her son, Sgt. Andrew Howlett.

Silver Cross Mother Agnes Howlett and son Sgt. Andrew Howlett speak with CBC's Anthony Germain Wednesday. Howlett's other son, Cpl. Daniel Howlett, died in November 1997. (CBC)

Cpl. Daniel Howlett, who served in the 4th Engineer Support Regiment and the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, died on Nov. 5, 1997.

His mother said she was hesitant at first when approached to be the Silver Cross Mother this year, but ultimately concluded it was a great honour.

"I was thinking about all the Silver Cross Mothers and all those who that passed away through war times and peace times," Howlett told CBC News.

A few clouds hang over the National War Memorial in St. John's on an otherwise sunny Nov. 11, 2015. (Bob Sharpe/CBC)
A veteran prepares to lay a wreath at National War Memorial on Duckworth Street in St. John's. (CBC)

Turkish Ambassador Selcuk Una laid a wreath on behalf of the Turkish Embassy in Canada.

Turkish Ambassador to Canada, Selcuk Unal, lays a wreath on behalf of the Turkish Embassy. (CBC)

"It's the first time that a Turkish ambassador has attended all the ceremonies this year," said Unal, adding representatives from Newfoundland and Labrador visited Turkey this year as well.

"We in Turkey always remember the Gallipoli was and celebrate it and commemorate it, not only as a victory but a bond of friendship over 100 years." 

Two decorated war veterans brave the chilly temperatures outside the National War Memorial on Duckworth Street on Nov. 11, 2015. (CBC)
A young man stands guard at the cenotaph at the National War Memorial to remember the end of the First World War. (CBC)

For more photos from this year's Remembrance Day ceremony, check out our live blog below.