Some in-person ceremonies return as Manitobans mark 2nd pandemic Remembrance Day

Manitobans gathered in person for some scaled-down Remembrance Day ceremonies on Thursday, after the COVID-19 pandemic forced ceremonies to go virtual last year.

Online events were also held this year, including events hosted by the Minto Armoryand HMCS Chippawanaval reserve.

But dozens also met outdoors at the Manitoba legislature grounds. Around 100 people also took part in a service at Oak Park High School, and a few people watched a lone bagpiper play at Brookside Cemetery in Winnipeg.

Piper Nathan Mitchell performed at Brookside'sField of Honour, one of the oldest and largest military interment sites in Canada. Nearly 11,000 soldiers are buried there.

Mel Pageot has been a Royal Canadian Legion member for 40 years and has attended an in-person event every Nov. 11 for two decades with2020 being the exception, due the lack of in-person ceremonies.

"Iwas so upset last year we couldn't have it, and today it's back and it is very meaningful," said Pageot, who attended the event at Oak Park High School in Winnipeg, organized by the Charleswood legion branch.

Capt. Marc Boudreau, who served in Afghanistan, Libya andCongo, also attended the Charleswood event.

Boudreau, whose uncle and father also served, said attending Remembrance Day ceremonies with his family has always been important to him.

WATCH|Manitobans watch cannon fire, hear Remembrance Day pipes in person:

Manitobans watch cannon fire, hear Remembrance Day pipes in person

3 years ago

Duration 1:24

Remembrance Day ceremonies in Manitoba welcomed in-person gathering for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

Last year was thefirst in 25 years of military service Boudreau wasn't able to mark the day surrounded by others.

That made being able to attend Thursday'sceremonyall the more special.

"For me, it means a lot," said Boudreau. "It is important that today isn't just a day to have off, and I think that we should all spend a moment and remember why we have what we have and the freedoms that we have."

Glen Napady served across Canada and inEgypt, Germany and the formerYugoslavia during his 19 years with the Armed Forces. Two of his uncles served during the Second World War.

"One of them for sure would come out of the grave and kick my butt if I didn't attend a service," said Napady, who hasbeen a member of the Royal Canadian Legion since 2003.

The event at Oak Parkwas smaller than past legiongatherings, and involvedvaccination status screening at the door.

Napady still found the turnout, and theceremony, moving.

"Take a pause and remember and reflect and be thankful for what you have. Don't be worried about what you don't have, be thankful for what you have, because people ... in other parts of this world are not as lucky."

Jason Greschuk attended the ceremony at the legislature groundsto remember soldiers who lost their lives fighting for Canada.

"It's important to me because every person is responsible for creating freedom," said Greschuk.

"This is just one beautiful event to help people remember that freedom comes at a price. Nothing is free."

Weston and Grace Murphy also attended the event.

"We should remember how much they did for us and we should honour them," said Weston.

"We remember the people who honoured us, especially the First Nations, when they fought for us even though we didn't give them anything, but they gave us stuff back," said Grace.

Daniela Wightman said she attends theceremony at the legislature grounds every year to honour the bravery, ideals and sacrifices of service members.

"You have to fight [for] what's good, what's true, what's beautiful and those things are things like freedom, respect of other people," said Wightman.

"Those are eternal values."