OTTAWA, Ontario, Nov. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The cold air did not deter the nearly 30,000 people who gathered at the National War Memorial of Canada for this year's National Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa. This event marked important milestones, including the 80sth the anniversary of the end of World War II and the liberation of the Netherlands; and 25th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“Remembrance Day is one of the most important days of the year for all Canadians,” says Legion Dominion President Berkeley Lawrence. “Without the sacrifices of those who came before us, we would not live the lives of freedom that we have today.”
The Royal Canadian Legion event began with a parade of veterans, followed by marching contingents, a 21-gun salute and traditional elements such as the playing of “The Last Post” and two minutes of silence at exactly 11:00. The first flyby of a Royal Canadian Mounted Police Black Hawk helicopter also lit up the morning in honor of Canada's fallen.
The act of remembrance was read in English, French and the indigenous language Inuktitut.
This year National Silver Cross Mother Ms. Nancy Payne laid the wreath on behalf of all mothers who have lost children in service to Canada and in memory of her son, Corporal Randy Joseph Payne. He was killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan in 2006 while serving as part of a close protection team assigned to the mission.
Other special guests who laid wreaths at the foot of the National War Memorial included the Deputy Governor General of Canada and Chief Justice of Canada, the Honorable Richard Wagner; Prime Minister of Canada The Honorable Mark Carney; Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Honorable Jill McKnight; and Chief of Defense Staff General Jenny Carignan. Legion Dominion President Mr. Berkeley Lawrence laid the wreath along with representatives of Canadian youth who were also winners of the National Legion Foundation's National Youth Memorial Competitions. Representatives from veterans groups, organizations and individuals also laid wreaths in memory of those who gave their lives in service to this country.
Following the ceremony, hundreds of people laid their poppies on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, an additional special act of remembrance for each November 11th. On Remembrance Day evening in Ottawa, thousands of animated poppies representing fallen Canadian soldiers will also cascade down the Senate Buildings and National Arts Center until midnight.
About the Royal Canadian Legion
Founded in 1925, the Legion is Canada's largest veterans support and community service organization. We are a non-profit organization with a national reach across Canada, as well as affiliates in the United States and Europe. With more than 270,000 members, many of whom spend enormous amounts of time volunteering at their affiliates, our strength lies in our numbers.
Public Relations/National Media Inquiries: Nujma Bond, [email protected]343-540-7604.
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