As the autumn breeze carried golden leaves across New Brunswick’s town squares this morning, hundreds of residents gathered under cloudy skies, their breaths visible in the November air. The province once again showed its deep commitment to honoring those who served our nation as communities from Saint John to Edmundston held Remembrance Day ceremonies.
“It’s not just about remembering the past,” said Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Thomas McCarthy, addressing the crowd at Fredericton’s cenotaph. “It’s about acknowledging the ongoing sacrifice of those who wear the uniform today, especially as global conflicts multiply.”
The provincial capital’s ceremony began precisely at 10:30 a.m., with veterans of varying ages standing shoulder-to-shoulder despite the morning chill. Their medals caught occasional glints of sunlight breaking through the clouds – silent testimonies to battles fought decades ago in fields far from New Brunswick’s peaceful shores.
Premier Blaine Higgs attended the Fredericton ceremony, laying a wreath alongside representatives from the RCMP, First Nations communities, and various veterans’ organizations. The Premier later told reporters that New Brunswick’s commitment to veterans remains unwavering, pointing to recent provincial investments in veteran support services.
“New Brunswickers understand service and sacrifice perhaps better than most,” Higgs said. “With CFB Gagetown in our province and our proud military history, these ceremonies touch nearly every family in some way.”
In Moncton, the ceremony at the Cenotaph on Main Street drew a particularly large crowd this year. Veterans Affairs Canada estimates that attendance at Remembrance Day ceremonies across the country has increased approximately 15% over the past five years, with similar trends visible in New Brunswick communities.
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 6 in Moncton organized this year’s ceremony with special attention to including younger participants. Local high school students read “In Flanders Fields” and participated in the wreath-laying ceremony alongside veterans.
“Seeing these young people take part gives me hope,” said Margaret Williams, 93, who served as a nurse during the Korean War. “I worry sometimes that when my generation is gone, the meaning of this day might fade. But then I see these teenagers standing in the cold, listening intently, and I feel reassured.”
In Saint John, the ceremony at King Square featured the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment firing a 21-gun salute that echoed through the port city’s downtown. Mayor Donna Reardon spoke about the city’s naval history and the generations of Saint John families who have served in the armed forces.
“This city was built by people who understood duty,” Reardon said. “From the World Wars to Afghanistan, Saint John has always answered the call.”
This year’s ceremonies across New Brunswick paid special tribute to peacekeepers, acknowledging the 75th anniversary of Canadian peacekeeping operations. At several locations, including Bathurst and Campbellton, blue berets were prominently displayed alongside traditional poppies.
Veterans Affairs data shows that New Brunswick has contributed disproportionately to Canada’s peacekeeping missions, with approximately 3,200 New Brunswickers serving in various peacekeeping roles since 1948. Many attended today’s ceremonies wearing their distinctive blue berets.
“People sometimes forget that peacekeeping isn’t peaceful work,” explained Master Corporal (Ret.) Jean Leblanc, who served in Bosnia in the 1990s. “We saw terrible things. We lost friends. The blue helmet doesn’t protect you from trauma.”
In smaller communities, ceremonies took on more intimate tones. In Sackville, following the formal ceremony at the Memorial Park cenotaph, residents gathered at the Legion hall where walls are lined with photographs of local veterans dating back to the First World War.
“In a town this size, you’re not remembering abstract heroes,” said Legion Branch 26 president William MacKenzie. “You’re remembering your grandfather, your neighbor, your friend’s older brother. That makes it personal in a way that’s hard to describe.”
Indigenous veterans received special recognition at several ceremonies, particularly in communities near Tobique and Elsipogtog First Nations. Elder Albert Martin conducted a smudging ceremony before the formal proceedings in Miramichi, where several Mi’kmaq veterans were specifically honored.
“Our people have fought in every Canadian conflict despite the historical challenges,” Martin said. “Today is about honoring that dual commitment – to community and country.”
At the National War Memorial in Ottawa, New Brunswick was represented by Corporal Jessica Daigle, currently serving with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment. Meanwhile, school gymnasiums and community centers across New Brunswick held smaller ceremonies for those unable to attend outdoor events.
As the clock struck 11 a.m., two minutes of silence fell across the province. Traffic stopped. Conversations ceased. In that shared moment of reflection, New Brunswickers of all backgrounds stood united in remembrance.
The day concluded with many Legion branches hosting community meals, where stories flowed as freely as coffee. Veterans young and old shared experiences while children listened, forming memories that will carry this tradition forward.
“Days like today remind us that remembrance isn’t passive,” said Brigadier-General (Ret.) Sarah Thompson at the Oromocto ceremony near Base Gagetown. “It requires action – the action of gathering, of listening, of learning, and most importantly, of caring for those who served and continue to serve.”
As poppy petals were collected and programs folded away, New Brunswick’s commitment to remembrance remained visible in the faces of those departing ceremonies – solemn yet resolute, carrying forward a promise renewed each November: We will remember them.
