Ceremony attendees attach their poppies to memorial wreaths following the Remembrance Day service at Old City Hall Cenotaph. (Samraweet Yohannes)
On the brisk morning of Nov. 11, hundreds gathered at Old City Hall, in Toronto, to commemorate the fallen.
At the annual Remembrance Day service, veterans, families of soldiers and supporters made a pilgrimage to the cenotaph to pay their respects and remember those who sacrificed their lives in war.
The cross-generational importance of the day was underscored by the war poem “In Flanders Fields,” recited by two young cadets and 95-year-old navy veteran, Janet Watt. At the 11th hour, the crowds that occupied the closed streets bowed their heads for a moment of silence. Mayor John Tory, among the speakers at the service, highlighted the sacrifices made by Canadians in recent and past wars. The solemn ceremony began and closed with a procession. Women and men in uniform marched on Queen Street carrying flags, accompanied by the 7th Regiment Band.
Once the service was over, attendees closed in on the cenotaph to add their poppies to the rows of wreaths that rested in front of it.
The Remembrance Day procession makes its way east on Queen Street. (Samraweet Yohannes)
Man in uniform watches the Remembrance Day service. (Samraweet Yohannes)
Young man in uniform stands in front of the cenotaph during the Remembrance Day service. (Samraweet Yohannes)
Members of the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps (RCSCC) VANGUARD walk in the Remembrance Day procession. (Samraweet Yohannes)
A decorated veteran walks in the procession following the Remembrance Day service. (Samraweet Yohannes)
People gather at Old City Hall Cenotaph for the Remembrance Day service. (Samraweet Yohannes)
Marching band walks in the Remembrance Day procession. (Samraweet Yohannes)
Rows of wreaths rest in front of the cenotaph. (Samraweet Yohannes)
Member of the Toronto Fire Services performs a salute after adding his poppy to a memorial wreath. (Samraweet Yohannes)
Members of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires march in the closing procession. An earlier version incorrectly identified them as members of the Canadian Armed Forces. (Samraweet Yohannes)
Photo editor at the Ryersonian. Twitter: @YohannesSam
