Hundreds attend Remembrance Day ceremony at CFB Borden
The sentiments of Remembrance Day are felt as strongly at military bases as anywhere else, which was the case at CFB Borden’s annual November 11 ceremony at Legacy Park Monday morning.
Nearly 500 were in attendance, including around 300 troops, to honour the legacy of those who serve and those who sacrificed their lives.
“We are with family. So, it’s just really nice here in Borden because we get to be in a community that is very welcoming of us,” said Capt. Leyla Bilgi-Bérard, a critical care nurse officer for the Canadian Forces. “They acknowledge some of the sacrifices, and some of the commitment that it takes to be in the military.”
Capt. Bilgi-Bérard led Monday’s ceremony, which included all of the Remembrance Day formalities, which included a special welcome for Base Commander Col. Melissa Ramessar.
The bars of The Last Post and two minutes of silence were broken by the traditional firings of the base’s artillery canons.
There were more than two dozen wreaths laid, as troops thought of their fellow soldiers lost in battle.
“Thinking of the friends I lost in Afghanistan,” said MWO William Black from the Canadian Forces. MWO Black has been in the military for almost 30 years, serving on missions in Bosnia, Afghanistan, Poland and Ukraine among others.
“Remembrance Day is a big deal,” added MWO Black. “It’s a lot, especially for those of us that have been on combat operations or peacekeeping operations.”
Stuart Beaton, 93, served for more than 40 years, reaching the ranks of lieutenant-colonel for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
“All these folks that passed away have to be remembered,” stated Beaton. “Because there’s one thing, freedom - that’s what we have and we’re trying to keep.”
CFB Borden also sent more than a thousand additional troops to Remembrance Day events across the region on Monday.
The Base’s next remembrance event will be for Vimy Ridge Day in April.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Trudeau promoting backbenchers in sizable cabinet shuffle coming Friday: sources
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is planning a sizable cabinet shuffle on Friday, and it's shaping up to see several Liberal backbenchers promoted to ministerial posts, sources confirm to CTV News.
Prime minister's team blindsided by Freeland's resignation: source
The first time anyone in the senior ranks of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office got any indication Chrystia Freeland was about to resign from cabinet was just two hours before she made the announcement on social media, a senior government source tells CTV News.
'Tragic and sudden loss': Toronto police ID officer who died after suspected medical episode while on duty
A police officer who died after having a suspected medical episode on duty was executing a search warrant in connection with an ongoing robbery investigation in North York, Toronto police confirmed Thursday.
Ontario town seeks judicial review after being fined $15K for refusing to observe Pride Month
An Ontario community fined $15,000 for not celebrating Pride Month is asking a judge to review the decision.
The Royal Family unveils new Christmas cards with heartwarming family photos
The Royal Family is spreading holiday cheer with newly released Christmas cards.
EXCLUSIVE Trump's border czar calls border security talks with Canada 'positive,' but 'actions have to follow'
Amid a potential tariff threat that is one month away, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's border czar Tom Homan is calling talks with Canada over border security 'positive' but says he is still waiting to hear details.
Who received the longest jail terms in the Gisele Pelicot rape trial?
A French court found all 51 defendants guilty on Thursday in a mass rape case including Dominique Pelicot, who repeatedly drugged his then wife, Gisele, and allowed dozens of strangers into the family home to rape her.
Youth support worker found guilty of sexually assaulting B.C. boy in government care
A former youth support worker has been convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy in B.C. government care – an incident that followed months of secret hangouts and shirtless massages that were in clear violation of his employer's policies.
W5 Investigates Provinces look to Saskatchewan on how to collect millions more for victims of crime
A W5 investigation showed how convicted criminals ordered to pay restitution struggled to do so, and how just $7 million of more than $250 million had been claimed. While many provinces struggle to keep track, Saskatchewan is leading the way in making sure victims get their money.