Sebastien Krisciunas, 9, holds a hand-made wreath while gazing at grave markers before a Remembrance Day ceremony at a military cemetery in Calgary. (Jeff McIntosh/Canadian Press) A girl looks at poppies placed on the cenotaph in Calgary's Central Memorial Park on Wednesday. (Submitted by Natalie Sit)

Thousands of Calgarians paused to remember the sacrifices of soldiers past and present at Remembrance Day ceremonies held across the city.

More than 10,000 people attended the largest outdoors ceremony at the Military Museums, where Calgary MP Jim Prentice, who is also the federal environment minister, delivered the Remembrance Day message.

Containers were set out for food donations to the Veterans Food Bank and for monetary donations to the Military Families Fund.

Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier spoke in front of a crowd of about 2,000 people at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, reminding them of those who fought in past wars and also of Canadians currently serving in Afghanistan.

A pipe band played at the ceremony in front of the cenotaph at Central Memorial Park. After a moment of silence, people took their poppies off to lay them on the cenotaph.

Naval cadets gather at Gulf Canada Square in downtown Calgary on Remembrance Day. (Submitted by Bert Hamilton)

About 100 people heard prayers and laid wreaths indoors at the No. 1 Royal Canadian Legion in downtown Calgary.

Darrel Jones, president of the legion's Alberta and Northwest Territories command, said it's a shame some people choose Remembrance Day to catch up on their shopping.

"Today is a day of remembrance. There's many a day you can have for a holiday or go out to a shopping mall. Today is to remember that these soldiers have put their life on the line for our freedom," he said.

But Dave Massey, who was at the annual Remembrance Day wine sale at Willow Park Wines & Spirits, said it's important for people to remember the sacrifice of those who fought for freedom, regardless of where that happens.

A crowd gathers at the cenotaph in Central Memorial Park in Calgary. (Submitted by Doug Symington)

"We can remember those that we want to remember whether we're standing here in line or whether we're sitting at home," said Massey, who lost a brother and two uncles in battles.

Some shoppers at the Chinook Centre mall stopped for a moment of silence at 11 a.m. in front of a Remembrance Day display.

"People were stopping all around. At least they remember to pay respect. It's about the act of remembering, not about where you are," said Evan Smith.