A sizeable number of the hundreds who attended Friday's Remembrance Day ceremony at the Fort Langley War Memorial heard the proceedings, but weren't close enough to see what was actually happening.

The service was so popular, people lined up several rows deep around the cenotaph, located on the east side of the Fort Langley Cemetery.

Some stood as far away as the middle of the cemetery, listening to the readings, prayers, and songs emanating from loudspeakers that surrounded the War Memorial.

Under grey skies, dignitaries joined representatives from Kwantlen First Nation along with men, women, and children. Together, they sat or stood in the cold to honour the men and women of the armed forces, and the sacrifices they have made through the years.

The ceremony began with the singing of O Canada, followed by a greeting from host Kurt Alberts.

Reverend Pam Worthington from St. George's Anglican Church led a prayer, followed by a moving rendition of the song Blades of Grass and Pure White Stones, sung by 12-year-old Cole Armour.

The Sounding of the Last Post was followed by two minutes of silence and fly past from the Fraser Blues.

God Save The Queen was sung and The Lord's Prayer was recited before Reverend Debra Hinksman from St. Andrew's United Church shared her experiences of Remembrance Day and what the day means to her, and her family.

Wreaths were put down in front of the War Memorial, Souls Of The Past was sung by the Youth of Fort Langley, and the ceremony concluded with Armour singing Amazing Grace, a cappella.

Dignitaries included James Moore, the federal minister of Heritage, who laid a wreath on behalf of the Government of Canada, and Fort Langley-Aldergrove MLA Rich Coleman, who laid a wreath on behalf of the province.

A total of 325 small flags adorned the cemetery grounds, one flag for each veteran buried there.

The Canadian flag, attached to a flag pole funded jointly by the Fort Langley Lions and the Township of Langley, was lowered and raised again.

tlandreville@langleyadvance.com