A familiar voice was missing from the ceremony in Bridgewater this morning.
WWII veteran Pierre Allain, who usually reads Flanders Fields, passed away earlier this year.
Comrade John MacDonald, with the Royal Canadian Legion stepped up to take his place at the podium.
The poem was dedicated to Allain who has done the reading for the better part of the last decade.
Roger Purnell says hearing the WWII veteran read the traditional poem was moving.
“Pierre had the experience of being in the war,” he says. “He was 14 years old and working with the resistance.”
A much younger voice took on the iconic reading in Lunenburg.
Sea Cadet Master Seaman Shaun Pierce gave a reading in front of around 500 people at the cenotaph.
@ILoveLunenburg #RemembranceDay laying of wreaths pic.twitter.com/WL4rT25spm
— CKBW Radio (@ckbwradio) November 11, 2016
People in Lunenburg were encouraged to leave their poppies behind once the ceremony wrapped up.
Mayor Rachel Bailey says the town wanted to make it easy for people to show their gratitude for our veterans.
“It’s a relatively new development, not just people with specific wreathes to place but anyone is welcome to pay their respect.”
Wreathes were placed around the cenotaph so people could attach their poppies and prevent them from being blown away by the wind.
Poppies being placed @ILoveLunenburg #WeWillRememberThem #remembranceday2016 #lestweforget pic.twitter.com/Luv0LkjGUU
— CKBW Radio (@ckbwradio) November 11, 2016
Meanwhile in Liverpool around 300 people filled the Astor theatre to pay their respects.
Bernadette Jordan was on hand along with a number of dignitaries.
Former mayor and Honorary Colonel John Leefe was one of several people who read names from a list of local military personnel who lost their lives in Battle.
People across the country paused for two minutes of silence to remember the thousands who’ve died for our country along with those who continue to serve.
The Last Post performed by Bugler Laura Allen #RemembranceDay pic.twitter.com/e8LFUG1vsA
— Alexis Ferrier (@lexferrier) November 11, 2016
