21 guns salute Remembrance Day across B.C.

British Columbians honoured those who fought and died in two world wars and conflicts from Bosnia to Afghanistan at Remembrance Day ceremonies across the province on Thursday.

This year, Premier Gordon Campbell said the province owes a special debt to four B.C. residents who died over the last year in Afghanistan, including Prince George native Corporal Darren Fitzpatrick, Prince Rupert and Victoria resident Lieutenant Andrew Nuttall, former Langley resident Private Garrett Chidley and Vancouver journalist Michelle Lang who was killed while on assignment for the Calgary Herald.

Ceremonies were held in every corner of the province today, including a parade and ceremony outside the provincial legislature in Victoria.

Thousands turned out for the ceremony at Victory Square in Vancouver, starting at 10:15 a.m. Then at at 11:02 a.m a 21-gun salute was fired from three 105-millimetre Howitzers in nearby Crab Park over the waters of the city's inner harbour.

Other events in Vancouver included the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron at Jack Poole Plaze next to the Vancouver Convention Centre at 8:20 a.m.  to mark the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy and the Seaforth Highlanders.

At 10:40 a.m. there was a ceremony at the Japanese Monument in Stanley Park followed by a ceremony at the Chinatown Memorial Square at the intersection of Keefer and Columbia Streets at 12:15 p.m.