A cool windy day couldn't be more fitting for 128 Canadian flags to be flown in memory of 128,000 Canadian service members killed or missing in action.
Hundreds gathered at Assumption Park along west-Windsor's riverfront for the 2018 Flags of Remembrance Ceremony Saturday.
Wendy Twigge made her way from Moncton N.B. along with her parents, her brother, five cousins and her aunt, all from various parts of the country — a large group to honour a long family legacy in service of their country.
Both of her grandfathers were part of a defining moment in Canadian history, storming Vimy Ridge during WWI, a battle that killed more than 3,500 and wounded another 7,000. Two of her uncles and an aunt took part in WWII.
"I can't put it into words, last year to get my parents done, once that was done the rest of the family decided this year to honour other family members," she says.
Twigge's cousin Sandra Graham's parents Alexander and Myna Graham served in WWII and her grandfather Daniel Lowe served in WWI.
"Some parts of their lives you don't know anything about," says Graham. "For people to be here and have the feeling of everyone else's emotion as well as your own memories is amazing."
An emotional Twigge tells AM800 News one flag is particularly special, her husband served as a peacekeeper in Egypt and on Canadian soil.
"To have my husband there too, he just passed away this year and it's been very special to be able to come spend time with my family and honour my grandparents, my parents, and my aunts and uncles," says Twigge.
Organizers announced Windsor's flags are the only to be completely sponsored nationwide.
All 128 flags were sponsored for this year’s ceremony. Families from as far away as New Brunswick made it out today to memorialize loved ones who served their country. @CTVWindsor @AM800News #cklw pic.twitter.com/CyngjY5ViO
— Gord Bacon (@baconAM800) September 22, 2018