On the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, the City of Barrie packed Memorial Square and the surrounding area to pay their respects to those who gave so much in the name of freedom.
Residents, politicians and members of the Canadian Forces lined up and down Dunlop Street, Memorial Square and the adjacent Owen Street to pay their respects to those who gave their lives and their youth in Canadian military campaigns throughout history.
Tim Shaughnessy, president of Barrie's Royal Canadian Legion branch, said that while every Remembrance Day is special, this year was obviously a little more important as it signalled the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War.
“A very special day, for sure,” he said. “None of the veterans of the First World War are with us, of course, as the last one passed away a couple of years ago, but still we remember.
"My dad was a World War II veteran and he left us just three years ago and he was president of the legion in 1969.”
Shaughnessy oversees hundreds of honorary events year-round and was emotional in telling BarrieToday that it has never become just a regular occurrence to him, as he pulled out a picture of his dad from his pocket.
“It always makes me cry, especially at the going down of the sun,” said Shaughnessy.
“I brought my dad with me today.”
