Standing with a poppy pinned to his chest, Norman Johnson laid a wreath in tribute to those who lost their lives serving in the war.

“I still remember it of course,” he said. “Family, friends.”

Tenants of the Renaissance retirement residence had a Remembrance Day ceremony Thursday afternoon.

Johnson, who lives at the residence, served as a pilot in the Royal Air Force during World War II.

Now 101, he sees fewer and fewer veterans at each ceremony.

“There aren’t that many of us anymore,” Johnson said. “You’re just enjoying the time you have left.”

Johnson served for approximately five years in the Royal Air Force. (Gillian Massie/ 980 CJME)

Johnson grew up in Northumberland in the United Kingdom and said he didn’t think twice about signing up to serve his country when war broke out.

“It’s something you did,” Johnson said. “That was it.”

He first came to Saskatchewan in the 1940s for flight training in Assiniboia. He flew planes for five years in the Air Force in Burma and India.

Both of Johnson’s brothers served in the war, but one was killed in Italy while in the army.

“You start to remember people after the fact,” he says. “It’s an ongoing thing.”

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After the war, Johnson moved to Canada with his family.

Each year, the 100-year-old pilot is delighted by the number of people who show up for the Remembrance Day ceremony.

“I’m actually grateful that they remember,” he said. “It’s quite easy to forget, I suppose.

“I am truly amazed that Remembrance Day is going so well. »

Students from Wascana Plains School performed in front of residents of the Renaissance retirement residence during the ceremony. (Gillian Massie/ 980 CJME)

In Regina, the Brandt Center will hold its Remembrance Day service on November 11 at 10:30 a.m. with doors opening at 10:00 a.m.

In Saskatoon, the SaskTel Center will hold its Remembrance Day service on November 11 at 9:30 a.m. with doors opening at 8:45 a.m.