Hundreds of Sudburians, including dozens of schoolchildren and seniors, stood in respectful silence at the Sudbury Community Arena for two minutes Monday for the Royal Canadian Legion’s annual Remembrance Day service.

The event was hosted by Sudbury Branch 76 Dr. Fred Starr.

While the audience was in the stands, the arena floor was filled with dozens of Legion members, veterans. members of active and reserve military units, alongside members of various first responders and other community groups.

The ceremony invited participants to sing O Canada, listening to the last bell played by a trumpeter followed by a bagpipe player playing a lament. The ceremony also heard a recital of the official Act of Remembrance.

Branch 76 Chaplain Shelley Kennedy thanked those in the crowd for participating in the annual ceremony.

She challenged the audience to look at the veterans at the event and consider their contributions.

“They serve. Some served overseas. Some didn’t. Some people are preparing for it,” Kennedy said.

“And we all benefit from their willingness. We can never be grateful enough or thank you enough for what you have done.”

Kennedy added that not everyone observes Remembrance Day

“Shame on those who put other things ahead of what this day and hour represents and means. Shame on those who put profit ahead of the lives served and lived, and the sacrifices made by men, women and families. Thank you to those of you who are here today.

The event included a wreath-laying ceremony during which all levels of government and several community organizations donated to the Legion for the honor of laying a wreath.

At the end of the event, the various military and community groups were invited to take part in a parade and final salute to the audience in the arena.

Len Gillis is a journalist at Sudbury.com.