Because we should never forget!

Remembrance Day is the one day every year when we stop our busy lives to pay tribute to those who have fought for our freedom. Many of them made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives for us and it’s the least we can do to honor them.

Yes, we can remember them every day, but Nov. 11 is the time for solemn reflection and formal recognition of the sacrifices our military personnel have made. It’s also the time to remember and thank all of those who have served and continue to serve our country.

There are many ways to pay our respects this year. You can pay tribute by:

• Attending a ceremony near you
• Watching ceremonies on TV or online
• Observing a moment of silence at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 wherever you are
• Sharing your thanks online by using #remembranceday

Here are some of the key events this year.

On Thursday

There are two events in Kitchener, the K-W Naval Commemoration Ceremony at 9 a.m. at Veterans’ Green at Memorial Park, and the St. John’s First World War Memorial and Remembrance Day Ceremony at 10 a.m. at The Church of St. John the Evangelist, 23 Water St. N.

On Friday

The University of Guelph will hold its annual Remembrance Day Service on Friday, Nov. 10, at 10:30 a.m., in War Memorial Hall, 390 Gordon St. Everyone is welcome to attend.

On Saturday

Guelph: 

• Remembrance service at McCrae House National Historic Site, 108 Water St. This is the birthplace of John McCrae (1872-1918), doctor, soldier, and author of “In Flanders Fields”. The service is held by the Royal Canadian Legion, Colonel John McCrae Memorial Branch 234. It begins at 9 a.m.
• Sleeman Centre, 50 Woolwich St., followed by Guelph Cenotaph, corner of Woolwich Street and Eramosa Road/Wyndham Street.  The doors will open at 9 a.m. for a service at the Sleeman Centre, which gets underway at 10:15 a.m. The parade will then leave the Sleeman Centre, march to the Cenotaph, then back to Wyndham Street and St. George's Square. There will also be a laying of wreaths at the Guelph Central Station at 9:30 a.m.
• Woodlawn Memorial Park Service. Woodlawn Memorial Park, 762 Woolwich St., Guelph, 10:45 a.m. Service to be held in the veterans area under the Canada flag.

Cambridge: 

• GALT: Galt Cenotaph, 82 Ainslie St., 10:30 a.m. The parade will run from the Royal Canadian Legion Galt Branch 121 at 4 Veteran's Way starting at 10:15 a.m. The ceremony will begin with wreath laying at 10:30 a.m.
• PRESTON: Preston Cenotaph, located at King Street and Argyle Street, 10:15 a.m. The parade will run from the Royal Canadian Legion Preston Branch 126 at 334 Westminster Dr. N., at 10:15 a.m. and will move down King Street to the cenotaph. Their service will begin at 10:30 a.m.
• HESPELER: Hespeler Cenotaph, corner of Queen Street and Tannery Street E., 10:15 a.m. The parade will run from Royal Canadian Legion Hespeler Branch 272 at 26 Schofield St., at 10:15 a.m. down Queen and Tannery to the cenotaph. The ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Kitchener: 

• Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Carl Zehr Square at City Hall.
• At 2 p.m., a dedication ceremony of the LAV III Afghanistan Monument will be held to commemorate Canadian service in Afghanistan. It takes place at the BGen Walter Bean DSO Armoury, 350 East Ave.

Waterloo: Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony, beginning at 10:15 a.m. at City Hall, 100 Regina St.

Milton: Remembrance Day Service at Evergreen Cemetery, 190 Ontario St. S., at 11 a.m.

Elora: Cenotaph Service, 11 a.m., at the Elora Cenotaph, Macdonald Square.