It's time once again to remember those who sacrificed their lives to defend the powerless from tyranny.
Prince George's annual Remembrance Day ceremonies continue to attract thousands of veterans and supporters without fail.
The Civic Centre, with capacity at 2,500, is usually standing-room only with community members attending the ceremonies to honour those Canadians soldiers who have served and are still serving their country.
"Unfortunately, we are creating more and more veterans every year with the war in Afghanistan," said Parsons. "And Prince George has lost two soldiers in Afghanistan so if
anything numbers are increasing again."
The soldiers who recently lost their lives in Afghanistan were Cpl. Darren Fitzpatrick, 21, who died on March 20, 2010 and Cpl. Matt McCully, 25, who was killed on May 25, 2007.
Canadians mark Nov. 11 as the day to honour the fallen in conjunction with the end of the First World War.
And in Prince George, Remembrance Day ceremonies take place at the Civic Centre, beginning Friday at 9:30 a.m. Organizers ask those attending to be seated by 9:15 a.m.
"We start by laying a lot of the wreaths inside the Civic Centre," said Capt. Marguerite Parsons of the Rocky Mountain Rangers cadet corps.
"We started this a few years ago because the inclement weather makes it difficult for veterans to attend. We then march over to the cenotaph from the Civic Centre and lay another dozen wreaths at the cenotaph."
The procession forms at about 10:30 a.m. outside the Civic Centre and the march begins at about 10:45 a.m. heading to the cenotaph on the front lawn of City Hall.
The procession will be led by parade marshal, Bruce Gabriel, from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 43, along with the pipe band and veterans, followed by members of the RCMP, firefighters, three senior cadet corps, Navy league cadets, Brownies, Boy Scouts and the Elks.
After the cenotaph ceremony everyone is invited to continue to honour the soldiers with a gathering at the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 43, 1335 Seventh Avenue, where lunch will be available as the pipe band continues to provide entertainment.
