THUNDER BAY -- For the first time in the history of Remembrance Day, those attending the south side event at the Fort William Gardens on Friday were taken on a photographic tour of the 20th Century's European battlegrounds.
Three screens on the arena floor showed photos of war memorials, graveyards and sites that have been erected in memory of the Canadians who died fighting in the 20th century's two world wars.
Ken Milanko was one of 10 legionnaires who made the pilgrimage to the sites in July 2015. He said ti was "absolutely striking" to see the sheer number of Canadian soldiers who died on the battlefield but the most emotional moment came as he played the last post at Vimy Ridge.
"That is incredibly hard to play with tears in your eyes," he said.
"The trumpeter is a very lonely position to begin with but what I did on Vimy Ridge was looking out over the fields, I could imagine thousands of German soldiers running away in retreat because our boys had just conquered this hill at great, great cost."
Master of ceremonies Wayne Malloy noticed many in attendance were visibly touched with Milanko's presentation.
"I think anyone who has a family member who has served or was involved in the militia or the army or in the wars couldn't help but to be emotionally touched by this service," he said.
"There's still nothing more inspiring than watching those veterans marching around at the end of the day to Old Soldiers Never Die. And they're mostly in-step and very quick and light of foot -- for people in their 90s. I hope I have their energy at that age."
Friday's ceremony was the 75th Sgt. Don Oram (ret.) has attended in Fort William. He said not much has changed over the decades local people have gathered on Nov. 11 to honour those who fought for Canada. While it feels like the rest of the world is changing quickly, he said the values Canadian solders fought to uphold have a legacy that should make Canadians proud.
"I see what I believe is a much freer world," Oram said.
"We have our freedom of speech and our freedom of religion. That's what they fought for -- against tyranny and slavery and whatnot. That's what has come out of it all. At times, it doesn't look like anything has improved but it has."
