Thousands of people gathered across Waterloo region on Tuesday to honour Canada’s veterans and remember those who died serving their country. In Kitchener, hundreds attended a Remembrance Day ceremony at the cenotaph, where wreaths were laid and a moment of silence was observed to recognize the sacrifices made by members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Kitchener councillor Dave Schnider said the annual ceremony is an opportunity for Canadians to come together and reflect on the country’s history and the values service members have fought to protect. “We come together as a nation in commemoration of the brave Canadians in uniform, who have served and continue to serve our country in defense of our fundamental principles of peace, freedom, sovereignty and democracy,” Schnider said. For retired RCMP Sgt. Maj. Robert Akin, attending the ceremony is also a way to honour fallen members of the force. Akin said he makes an effort to attend each year to pay his respects. Meanwhile, Christine Lemke said the sacrifices made by members of her own family have helped shape her appreciation for the day. “People like my great uncles fought in this war ... just for our freedom. And I’m proud to be Canadian,” she said. Similar scenes played out in Cambridge, where a large crowd gathered at the cenotaph in Galt to pay tribute to Canada’s fallen. Wreaths were placed at the monument before many attendees made their way to the local Royal Canadian Legion branch. Among those taking part in the commemorations was veteran Gordon Bennett, who served with the Royal Canadian Regiment’s 1st Battalion. “We went to Korea in 1952,” Bennett said. Bennett reflected on the importance of remembering those who did not return home. “We want to make sure that any of our fallen are remembered. That’s what it’s all about. We will remember them,” he said. At the Galt Legion branch, members and volunteers said the annual gathering provides an opportunity to share stories, connect with others and ensure the tradition of remembrance continues. Micheline King, president of Royal Canadian Legion Galt Branch 121, said bringing people together to hear veterans’ stories is an important part of keeping those memories alive. She said she hopes people will continue the tradition within their own families. Community volunteer Taunya Tansey said supporting veterans and those who have served is something she considers an honour. “For me, it’s an honour to be able to give back for the countless things that have been given to us,” Tansey said. The Royal Canadian Legion was founded in 1925 and marked its centenary in 2025. As part of its efforts to encourage more people to get involved, the organization is offering free memberships to Canadians aged 18 and older until the end of 2026. The initiative aims to help preserve the Legion’s legacy and ensure the sacrifices of Canada’s veterans and fallen service members are remembered for years to come.
