Hundreds gathered around the Windsor cenotaph at 11 a.m. Thursday to remember those who served in Canadian war and peacetime efforts.
This marked the second Remembrance Day held during the pandemic. While the crowd was not as big as it has been in years past, many returned to the cenotaph to honour the veterans and their sacrifices.
"It's awesome to see the number of people here," said Silver Cross Mother Theresa Charbonneau. "It truly does my heart good to see the number of people here. Windsor is a phenomenal city for remembering. They show their remembrance, they show their respect. We are a phenomenal population."
The crowd at the downtown Windsor cenotaph. People were advised to socially distance as much as possible, November 11, 2021.
Some precautions were taken to protect the elderly veterans joining the ceremony. Barriers were put up around the cenotaph so that chairs could be spaced out, and everyone within the barriers wore a mask as the ceremony proceeded.
Lieutenant Colonel Morris Brause, who served in Afghanistan, spoke to the crowd about the modern veteran. He is one of 40,000 women and men who served in the Canadian forces in Afghanistan over the last 20 years.
Lt. Col. Morris Brause, guest speaker at the 2021 Remembrance Day ceremony in downtown Windsor, November 11, 2021. (Photo by Maureen Revait)
Brause spoke about the sadness he experienced this summer as he watched the country fall to the Taliban once again.
"I've heard some people say that 'was it worth it', and I emphatically say yes. Because we as Canadians laid the seeds of the good people that we are," said Brause. "We went and served for one reason. For the honour of helping others. So please, let's never ever say it wasn't worth it."
Wreaths were laid at the cenotaph in honour of all veterans. Dignitaries representing the City of Windsor and the provincial and federal governments were also at the memorial.