Thousands gather at Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum for Remembrance Day

Canadians from coast to coast to coast are remembering those who served and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation on this Remembrance Day.

Coverage begins in Hamilton, where thousands gathered at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum for a special ceremony broadcast by CHCH.

It is a time to honour, show respect and remember those who have fought for our freedoms and those who are currently serving. It was standing room only at the museum for Wednesday’s ceremony.

“I tell our staff at the museum, every day is Remembrance Day but there is only one 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month and it’s a very special day for us,” said David G. Rohrer, president and CEO of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.

Today’s service was open to the public, but the front rows were reserved for veterans and their families.

“Very proud that they are paying their respect, and they are recognizing the service,” said Rodger Wilcox, of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

“I am glad to see the amount of people that come out to do this every year and I am so glad to see the young people come out and learn about the wars,” Deborah Adams, of the Hamilton Light Infantry added.

“It’s important for me to be here today because I wanted to support all the veterans that went through the war and it’s important to be here because if we forget what happened during the war, then we will forget it’s not okay and more people will go to war and there will be more casualties,” said student Lucy Jopko.

A choir sang “In Flanders Fields” just before the moment of silence and the Lancaster and B-25 flyover.

Moments later, some veterans in attendance were honoured.

Among them was 101-year-old Ron Zabrok, who served in the Second World War and the Korean War.

“I’m here today with my original hat that’s over 80 years old, and it’s a memory of all my shipmates, who are now gone,” Zabrok said.

At 108 years old, Joan Fuller served with the British Armed Forces’ Women’s Auxiliary during the Second World War.

Asked how being surrounded by the crowd made her feel, Fuller says: “Makes me feel very proud. I’m glad so many people remember.”

“We can’t forget that we wouldn’t have the freedom that we have today if it wasn’t for our veterans,” says a member of the crowd.

WATCH MORE: Lest We Forget: 2026 Remembrance Day ceremony at Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum