Remembering the fallen soldiers is tough for many, especially after recent incidents regarding the Ottawa shootout.

Remembrance Day is approaching quickly and many people believe this year carries a strong reason to why citizens must reflect to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives and continue to serve the country.

This Nov. 11 will be a tough year, being so close to the shocking event in Ottawa late Oct. The tragedy continues to stir the government into crisis after an assailant attacked Parliament Hill but the incident won’t prevent citizens to reflect the day of remembering.

“It’s a moment to stop and think about what was given so that we could have the right to have the ceremony to start with and be able to celebrate things,” says Alden, Veteran and current manager of the Royal Canadian Legion in Lethbridge.  

Alden believes this is now the time to remember, as it is the freedom that Canadians have and citizens should not voluntarily restrict their freedom based on tragic incidents like the Ottawa shooting.

Air Force Veteran and a former resident of Hamilton, Ottawa, John McGee says it’s painful especially being from the same province where McGee started his service.

“The world is going crazy and I can’t do anything about,” says McGee, a former pilot instructor for the Canadian Air Force.

Serving the country and thanking those individuals who lost their lives means more for individuals who continue to support the country today. Administration Officer for the Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron in Lethbridge, Captain Bruce Look thanks the services many soldiers provided and continue to provide because it is a large responsibility.

“They don’t do it for anything special – especially during the wars, they did it because they felt it had to be done.” Says Alden, a former air cadet.

Veterans feel that supporting the country is all that is asked and remembering who gave you the rights and freedoms initially derived from soldiers placing their lives on the line.

The Remembrance Day service will occur at 9:30am-11:30am in the South Pavilion located in the Exhibition Park on Nov. 11.

The Royal Canadian Legion, along with Royal Canadian Air Cadets and many organizations will be doing poppy drives at Tim Hortons, Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire locations, along with several more locations in the city until Nov. 11.