Thousands lined the streets of downtown Vancouver this Remembrance Day to honour those who gave their lives in service.

The ceremony took place at the Victory Square Cenotaph and veterans, military marching units and bands began marching to the cenotaph at 10 a.m.

Organizers said the event in Vancouver is one of the largest Remembrance Day events across the country, second only to the national service in Ottawa.

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People place poppies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier following the Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Nov. 11, 2014. (Justin Tang / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

At 11 a.m. people were asked to observe two minutes of silence to reflect and honour those who sacrificed their lives for Canada.

This was followed by a 21-gun salute and an airforce flyover. A choir sang the iconic poem “In Flanders Field” written by Canadian doctor and teacher John McCRae, who served in the South African War and the First World War.

Citizens usually begin to gather around 9:30 a.m. in order to find prime spots for Vancouver’s parade. Streets around the cenotaph and parade route closed around 9 a.m. and will re-open at 12:30.

In 2015 more than 40,000 people attended the Vancouver ceremony and parade.

Other ceremonies around Vancouver took place at the following locations:

With files from CTV Vancouver’s Nafeesa Karim

“In Flanders Field” By John McCRae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch, be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields