The air was crisp and cold, but those gathered at city hall were insulated by warmth of a community's appreciation for Canada's veterans.
More than 1,000 people crammed the Civic Centre and then lined the streets en route to the Prince George cenotaph to pay tribute to the men and women who have sacrificed their lives or their time serve in the armed forces.
Salvation Army Capt. Neil Wilkinson preceded his opening prayer by having all of those who have served in attendance at the indoor ceremony stand up and be recognized by the rest of the audience.
"Friends, I hope and pray that we, as Canadians, never take for granted the great privilege that we have to be called Canadians," Wilkinson said. "And because of the sacrifice of those that just stood before you, we have that liberty to enjoy such a good way of life."
Among those who rose to be recognized were members of the Edmonton-based Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry regiment, of which fallen Prince George resident Cpl. Darren Fitzpatrick was a member.
Cpl. Craig Popowich, 32, served with Fitzpatrick and said the group tries to make it to the Prince George ceremony when they can.
"It's huge for the Fitzpatrick family to have us here," he said, adding they've been close to the family since before Cpl. Fitzpatrick's death in 2010.
While it means a lot for the members of the regiment to participate, Popowich said it means more to Darren's parents Colleen and Jim Fitzpatrick.
"It's a great community effort for them. It's obviously difficult - more for them - but it is for us, too," said the Riverton, Man., native. "[It's good] to have that relationship with the community and that support network."
Fitzpatrick's name was one of 158 carved into flag posts bearing the Canadian colours that adorned the parade route. Each flag represents a member of the Canadian Forces who was killed in Afghanistan. Along with Fitzpatrick's flag, there was also one for Cpl. Matthew McCully holding the place of honour inside the Civic Centre.
McCully, who has family living in Prince George, was the 55th solider to perish overseas in 2008.
Representatives from both families, as well as from Greg Matters' family laid wreaths at the city hall cenotaph. Matters, a 15-year Forces veteran, was killed in a standoff with the RCMP Sept. 10.
"At times like these, the words we have seem inadequate," said Prince George-Valemount MLA and Minister of Justice Shirley Bond. "And we ask ourselves how can we express our gratitude? What can we do to show that we understand the immeasurable gift we have been given?"
At least one man took Bond's message to heart later in the morning. Braving the sub-zero temperatures at city hall in only his shirtsleeves, he removed his jacket to drape around the shoulders of a shivering female member of the Royal Canadian Legion.
"Many examples of courage exist in Canada and these examples are not exclusive to those of us who wear a uniform," said Brig.-Gen. Paul Bury, the Canadian Forces deputy commander for Land Force Western Area/ Joint Task Force West. "Anyone can be courageous. If you do the right thing for the right reasons despite the negative consequences to yourself, you are courageous. If you keep going, despite the obstacles you face, you are courageous. "
