Over 2,000 Prince George residents paid tribute Canada's fallen soldiers, sailors and air personnel in an emotional Remembrance Day ceremony Friday.
The ceremony brought together three generations of veterans from conflicts including the Second World War, Korean War, peacekeeping operations, Gulf War and the war in Afghanistan. At the forefront were the families of Prince George soldiers Cpl. Darren Fitzpatrick, 21, who died on March 20, 2010 and Cpl. Matt McCully, 25, who was killed on May 25, 2007.
"Our military is our sword and shield that keeps us safe and makes us proud," Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 43 president Jim Hubbard said during the ceremony.
Canada's First World War veterans are all gone, and the country's Second World War and Korean War veterans are slowly disappearing, he said. They have passed the torch to a new generation of soldiers whose conflicts, although not as large in scale, continue to put lives in jeopardy.
"As I speak to you today, 1,000 Canadian Forces personnel are in Afghanistan," Hubbard said "You will find Canadian soldiers, sailors and aircrew in Darfur, Sudan, several places in the Middle East and Kosovo. As long as there are dangers in the world, there will be a need for soldiers."
Since 2002, Canada has lost 158 soldiers and four civilians in the Afghan conflict - including Fitzpatrick, McCully and former Prince George newspaper reporter Michelle Lang. A Canadian flag bearing the name of each soldier lost in Afghanistan lined the parade route from the Civic Centre - where the main ceremony was held - to the Cenotaph where the official wreath laying was held.
Veterans bearing the national colours and a military pipe band lead the march from the Civic Centre to the Cenotaph. A platoon from 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry - the unit Fitzpatrick served with - paraded with Legionnaires, cadets, RCMP, firefighters, B.C. Ambulance paramedics, Brownies, Boy Scouts and the Elks.
At the ceremony, Prince George MLA Shirley Bond offered greetings from the provincial government and praise for the soldiers and their families who risk everything for their nation.
Bond recounted a personal story about meeting two Canadian soldiers in the airport on their way to Kandahar Airbase in Afghanistan.
"I asked them how they felt about being deployed, and without hesitation they said, 'Honoured, ma'am,'" Bond said. "When it was time to board, their families came up. They hugged, posed for pictures. And one of the mothers of the young men said, 'Go safely and call me when you get there.' As a mother and grandmother I don't know how many times I've said, 'Go safely and call me when you get there,' but never in the context of Kandahar.' I will never forget those words."
