Ceremonies held across Canada to honour WWI veterans

Canadians across the country held special ceremonies, Friday, to remember those who fought in the First World War.

The ceremonies are being held on the 93rd anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, and the first since the loss of Canada’s last-known veteran of the “war to end all wars.”

Veteran John Babcock died on February 18 at the age of 109.

The national ceremony was held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean and chief of defence staff Gen. Walter Natynczyk attended the National End of an Era Commemorative Ceremony.

Fighter jets roared overheard and artillery blasted a 21-gun salute. Hundreds of veterans of later conflicts stood at attention and sang as the ceremony opened with O Canada. Four CF-18s soared overhead in a “Missing Man Formation” under grey skies, followed by the artillery salute.

Native veterans conducted a smudging ceremony before their comrades from the Second World War through Afghanistan passed a torch to youth.

Four soldiers in khaki First World War combat uniforms stood sentry around the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with heads bowed. The tomb holds the unidentified remains of a Canadian soldier killed at Vimy.

At the memorial, the Union Jack and an old Red Ensign — a replica of the flag flown at Vimy Ridge in 1917 — flew alongside the Maple Leaf.

All around Parliament Hill, flags flew at half-mast.

Harper told the crowd that Canada has “lost our last living link to this generation of admirable Canadians.”

He said their “fearlessness in war and selflessness in peace first defined our young nation in the eyes of the world.”

“These Canadians did not fight the First World War to expand our dominion. It was not over old hostilities that they battled.”

“No, these young people risked their lives so that other nations could live in the same peace and freedom that had taken such deep root in Canada.”

As the ceremony wrapped up, a First World War biplane circled over Parliament Hill.

In Nova Scotia flags at the province’s legislative buildings were at half-mast.

A ceremony was held at the Grand Parade cenotaph. In the backdrop City Hall was decorated with poppies coloured by schoolchildren.

“There were not only incredible sacrifices made to take Vimy Ridge, but the bravery and skill of our military personnel from Canada and Newfoundland was heralded around the world and is noted in our history as Canada’s coming of age,” says Halifax Mayor Peter Kelly. “It is an honour to take a moment to thank and salute such an incredible generation of military heroes.”

About 650,000 Canadians served between 1914 and 1918; 68,000 were killed in action, another 170,000 were wounded.