‘Defending the Canadian values’: Winnipeggers honour soldiers, veterans at Remembrance Day ceremonies across city

Winnipeggers gathered Wednesday to honour the men and women who served and died defending Canada.

A large Remembrance Day ceremony took place at the RBC Convention Centre in downtown Winnipeg.

Political leaders, Armed Forces members, their families and civilians alike all came together to honour our veterans.

“May we hold sacred the memory of the fallen, may we remember all those who gave their lives, all who have died for Canada and for others,” said Reverend Paul N. Johnson.

Premier Wab Kinew, Mayor Scott Gillingham, Winnipeg police Chief Gene Bowers and a slew of distinguished guests came up one by one to pay their respects in front of well over 1,000 people.

“It’s great to see that people are coming out to remember the sacrifice of probably a lot of their own relatives, their friends, their friends’ relatives,” said veteran Tighe McMannus.

McMannus served in the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry for almost a decade – from 1966 to 1975.

“The unit that I served with had a long history of serving in WWI, WWII, Korea, various peacekeeping missions, and a lot of our guys got killed defending the Canadian values,” McMannus said. “And it’s always good to come out once a year and remember their sacrifice.”

“I just think it’s amazing to come out and see all these people here to remember the sacrifices everyone makes as well,” said Kellan, McMannus’ grandson.

The solemn ceremony also featured special recognition for the four Canadians who tragically lost their lives in a fire during a training exercise at CFB Wainwright in Alberta last month. As well, there was a reading of In Flanders Fields, musical tributes and prayers.

“Let this day continue to be more than a single time of remembrance, let it be rather a reminder to remember,” said Reverend Johnson.

Vimy Ridge Park

Outside, hundreds of civilians and service members paid their respects to the country’s veterans at Vimy Ridge Park.

At the heart of the ceremony was the 44th Canadian Infantry Vimy Ridge Monument – a historical memorial that was originally erected on Vimy Ridge in France by the 44th Battalion from 1917-1924. It was later moved to Winnipeg.

“I felt quite emotional when I got up there,” said Joanne Sutherland, the honourary president of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Foundation.

Sutherland’s father James Ross Sutherland served in the 44th Battalion – a WWI infantry unit recruited in Winnipeg and deployed in France.

“I said to him one day, ‘why would you go to war when you weren’t conscripted.’ And he rose to his full height and said, ‘my dear, it was my duty to my king and country.”

Sutherland remembers her father bringing her to the monument when she was four years old. On Wednesday, she was an honoured guest.

“As I was sitting there, it was bringing back the memories of my first visit and that little girl would have never of dreamed of having the honour to place a wreath on this 77 years later.”

Sutherland wasn’t the only one overcome with emotions.

“Oh I always get choked up, especially the lament on the pipes,” said Major Brian Orton, president of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Senate. The retired major served for 35 years.

“In addition to this day, we need to remember every day,” Orton said. “What our soldiers, our men and women, and our sailors, what they’re doing now and what they’ve done in the past, and what they will continue to do to serve this great country of ours.”