Hundreds of Thunder Bay residents braved a chilly wind today to attend the Remembrance Day ceremony at city hall cenotaph. Among them were school children, old veterans, their chests covered with medals and former American soldiers and various civic dignitaries.  Emma Hamlin laid the silver memorial cross wreath. Her husband William was a member of the Canadian Army's Royal Edmonton Regiment when he was killed in Italy in 1914 leaving her to raise five children.

Col. John Swingler was another one of the veterans who came to remember the war dead. Swingler, 69, served with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force and was the first serviceman from the former city of Port Arthur to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross.  There were good times and bad during the war, but Swingler said he doesn't dwell on the bad. "You never put it out of your mind, but you just don't talk about them."

Three of Swingler's crewmates in the Royal Air Force took part in the legendary Great Escape. Swingler said a television movie this week on the Great Escape brought back memories of the war.  Swingler wasn't in Stalag Luft 3, but his three friends were. Two were tunnellers and the third was a lookout. None of the three escaped and all three survived the war.

Also part of the gathering were American Veterans of Foreign wars who come to Thunder Bay each Nov. 11 to pay homage to the war dead.  Meanwhile, hundreds also gathered at the Waverley Park cenotaph.  Some were lightly dressed while others were covered with blankets to combat brisk temperatures. They watched as a Silver Cross Mother, Mrs. Ray McDevitt placed the Silver Memorial Cross wreath at the foot of the monument.

Charles W. John, a Second World War veteran and president of the Native Veterans Association of Northwestern Ontario, placed a wreath on behalf of the association.

At precisely 11 AM Sgt. Dave Kruger of the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment commanded the firing party who fired three shots into the sky, followed by the roar of the HMCS Griffon Navy Reserve Unit 12-round gun.

During the two minutes of silence, three Cessna 172s flew over the scene.