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Remembrance Day service draws thousands to Halifax's Grand Parade

Thousands of people gathered across Nova Scotia this morning to honour and remember those who have served their country.

Marion Fryday-Cook, president of Nova Scotia Nunavut command, helped organize today's events in Halifax.

"It's tremendous, tremendous to have the amount of people out to remember our fallen and to honour those who came home and to support our military families," she said.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the worst peacetime accident in the history of the Royal Canadian Navy. HMCS Kootenay was participating in training exercises in the English Channel when a gearbox ignited in the vessel's engine room and exploded on the morning of Oct. 23, 1969.

Nine people were killed and 53 others were injured.

'I don't think you'll ever forget the fellas that died'

Gord "Dusty" Miller, is a retired lieutenant commander of the navy. He was working on HMCS Kootenay as a supply officer when the explosion happened.

"I don't think you'll ever forget the fellas that died or the actual disaster," he said.

CBC
CBC

Miller said, even now, when he goes into an unfamiliar building he looks for a secondary exit. He said most of his crew do the same and many suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

This will be the first time a wreath will be laid at the cenotaph in memory those who died and were injured in the tragedy.

Miller said it's important for Canadians to remember that people died in the Cold War, as well as the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War.

Remembrance Day ceremonies were held in communities across Nova Scotia today. You can watch CBC Nova Scotia's live coverage of the Halifax ceremony below.

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