Waterloo Region residents and veterans gathered in Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge to mark Remembrance Day and honour Canada's fallen soldiers.
November 11 is the day to remember the Canadians who served in the First and Second World Wars, Korean War, Afghanistan and everywhere Canadians make and keep the peace.
Members of the student choir at Our Lady of Lourdes School in Waterloo were among those carrying photographs of the 152 Canadians killed in Afghanistan in the ceremony at Kitchener's cenotaph.
Anna Zilda, an Our Lady of Lourdes student, says "We're representing the soldiers who died for us and it's really important to remember them, because they remembered us when they were fighting in Afghanistan for us."
In Waterloo, veterans paraded from the Legion on Regina Street to the cenotaph. Politicians and dignitaries also attended the ceremony.
Meanwhile businesses in Waterloo's downtown core came to a halt to mark two minutes of silence in honour of the fallen.
At Southwood Secondary School in Cambridge, crosses were erected as a tribute to local soldiers. It was just one of several ceremonies in the city.
Southwood student Lauren Eby says "It really makes me thankful for what they have done, so that I can be free."
Sgt. Chad Hagan lost friends in Afghanistan, and Remembrance Day now has new meaning for him.
"It wasn't just the older guys that had served in World War Two, these were people I had served with and laughed with every day at work and then I lost them."
Canadians gather in Ontario and abroad
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty was among the dignitaries attending Remembrance Day ceremonies at Queen's Park. Hundreds also gathered at the cenotaph at Toronto's Old City Hall.
Meanwhile Gov. Gen. David Johnston attended ceremonies at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.
Due to the time difference, troops and families in Kandahar paid tribute earlier in the day, with a ceremony that included the relatives of eight Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper attended Remembrance Day ceremonies in Seoul, South Korea, where he is attending the G20 summit.
The date of Remembrance Day commemorates the end of the First World War on Nov. 11, 1918, but serves to honour all veterans.
A total of about 100,000 Canadians have died in wars, mostly in the 20th century. This is the first year there are no surviving Canadian veterans of the First World War.
A private member's bill recently introduced in the Ontario legislature would make Remembrance Day a statutory holiday in the province.
With files from The Canadian Press
