An ad placed in Wednesday's Windsor Star newspaper is causing some controversy on Remembrance Day.

The full-page ad, printed on the last page of the sports section, lists the names of the 133 Canadian soldiers who have died since 2002 while serving in Afghanistan.

Titled "Lest We Forget," it also describes the war in Afghanistan as one "with no end in sight," and calls on the federal government "to bring our troops home," saying "the pain and sorrow of those who lost loved ones through death or injury can never be measured."

Rick Laporte, the president of CAW Local 444, says his union has not supported the war in Afghanistan 'since Day 1.' (Allison Johnson/CBC)

The ad was paid for by the Canadian Auto Workers Local 444, a union that represents 17,500 active and retired members at a variety of companies including Chrysler Canada Inc. and Caesars Windsor casino.

"We've taken a stance since Day 1 at Local 444 that we would not support the war in Afghanistan," local president Rick Laporte told CBC News. "We think we're a peacekeeping force more than a combative force."

Lois Comartin, who attended a Remembrance Day ceremony in downtown Windsor on Wednesday, said it was not the right day "to stir ourselves about finishing or completing" the war in Afghanistan.

'When there is a war on, the job has to be done completely.'—Pete Remdenok, Korean War veteran

"I really think it's a day to remember all the peacekeepers, all of those who have given their lives for our freedom that we enjoy today," Comartin said.

"It's about so much more today," agreed Comartin's friend, Judy Doherty. "It's about all those who lost their lives."

Korean War veteran Pete Remdenok said he would like to see Canadian troops return from Afghanistan, "but not prematurely."

"I can understand people wanting their people to come home," Remdenok said. "But when there is a war on, the job has to be done completely. Leaving before it's done is not right."

Laporte said he's not worried about offending anbody with the ad.

"I think our message today was very simple: that people are dying out there and they should be at the forefront of what's going on today," he said.