A 150-hour vigil is underway at the cenotaph in downtown Chatham.
The event called "CK Keeping 150” was planned by Christ Church in Chatham and calls on the community to stand or sit on guard at the cenotaph until after the Remembrance Day service on November 11. Several members of the Masonic Temple in Chatham were keeping watch on Monday morning.
Fred Osmon says we all have to do our duty and remember those who gave their lives for our freedom.
"It's an honour to do this, it really is," says Osmon. "How many times do you get a chance to remember all the ones that went overseas and gave us the opportunity to be free and be free to do this. It's a real honour."
The vigil is in honour of Canada’s 150th anniversary, the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge, and the 75th anniversary of the raid on Dieppe.
Bob Bye says this time of year hits really close to home and it's important for him to pay his respect to the ones he lost.
"My father was in the First World War, I lost an uncle in the First World War and a first cousin in the Second World War. So, it's very important to me," Bye says.
George Sims says he's proud to stand guard today because the veterans gave us so much.
"We grew up in the best of times and we have so many things to be thankful for. They gave their tomorrows for our todays," says Sims.