Soldiers, their families and dignitaries gathered in Ottawa Friday for Canada’s first National Day of Honour, commemorating the mission in Afghanistan and those injured or killed in service.

The front fence of the public area at #DayofHonour. pic.twitter.com/mZ6PwJEw5D

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) May 9, 2014

Ceremony

The Day of Honour began with a breakfast reception, and was followed by a memorial held in the Senate. There was also a parade and a ceremony on Parliament Hill. Athlete Rick Hansen was one of the co-emcees.

Rick Hansen is speaking now. #DayofHonour "an opportunity for all of us to recognize all of those who served in Afghanistan," he says.

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) May 9, 2014

The parade is of a few hundred soldiers, police, veterans if I heard correctly. #DayofHonour pic.twitter.com/1Z7XrNr9c2

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) May 9, 2014

In the morning, Governor-General David Johnston, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and several cabinet ministers joined families of the fallen soldiers in the Senate for the memorial. (See more pictures of the Day of Honour ceremonies)

Mr. Harper announced the Day of Honour in March to recognize the 12-year mission in Afghanistan. During the Senate memorial, 12 carnations were placed in a white wreath to honour the mission and those who served in it. “Through this National Day, Canadians will have the opportunity to reflect on the courage and sacrifices made by our soldiers,” Mr. Harper said in a statement announcing the Day of Honour.

After the parades arrived on the Hill and the Governor-General inspected the guard, the military did a 21-gun salute.

The salute is ongoing, and the smoke is drifting over the crowd. #dayofhonour pic.twitter.com/bKDoMtCirp

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) May 9, 2014

The GG's inspection has a jovial feel to it. He's stopping and chatting with soldiers. #dayofhonour

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) May 9, 2014

During the ceremony, the final Canadian flag to fly in Kandahar (at NATO headquarters) was brought to Ottawa. There was some controversy about who would receive the flag on Parliament Hill. In the end, the Prime Minister was given it, and then he passed it on to the Governor-General, who is Canada’s commander-in-chief.

Anndddddd the PM gets flag after all. And onward to the GG, who sets it on the podium. Applause! #dayofhonour pic.twitter.com/Y03SbYFlmR

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) May 9, 2014

Canada's top military *chaplain* calls on #DayofHonour crowd to remember "enduring wounds, both seen and unseen" from Afghanistan.

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) May 9, 2014

The Governor-General paid tribute to those who died in the war in Afghanistan.

"It cost a real human price for Canada, for Afghanistan and for our allies," GG says of Afghan war. #dayofhonour

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) May 9, 2014

"These were some of the most difficult moments of my life," GG says of attending ramp ceremonies for fallen soldiers. #dayofhonour

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) May 9, 2014

Mr. Harper told the crowd, “Let me tell all of you how proud I am to stand before you.” He said the conflict was the longest military engagement in Canadian history.

"Whether you fought on the front line or kept the home fires burning, you have our gratitude," Harper says at #dayofhonour.

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) May 9, 2014

Military hardware "may be symbols of our country's great strength, but they are symbols only," -Harper. Says soldiers families are strength

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) May 9, 2014

Defence Minister Rob Nicholson said the day marked the “conclusion of another chapter in the history of the Canadian Armed Forces.” Chief of Defence Staff Tom Lawson said the mission was “woven into the very fabric of the Canadian Armed Forces.”

Veterans

The Canadian mission in Afghanistan claimed the lives of 158 Canadian soldiers, one diplomat, one journalist and two contractors (Read the full list). Roughly 2,000 soldiers were injured.

The crowd is a mix of soldiers and relatives, and others in civilian clothing. Lottttts of medals on lapels. #DayofHonour

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) May 9, 2014

Names of soldiers killed in Afghanistan are being displayed on screen. Bagpipes playing as guests led in #dayofhonour pic.twitter.com/cprd3gQa4x

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) May 9, 2014

Many veterans, or families of those lost, were in attendance on Parliament Hill.

Soldiers from across the Forces, medics, military police, RCMP and city police all at #DayofHonour. pic.twitter.com/PzLrl0I44W

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) May 9, 2014

Military equipment

Crowd filling in here at the #DayofHonour pic.twitter.com/X9N4UWiy62

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) May 9, 2014

The event on Parliament Hill also includes a series of military displays, including a Chinook transport helicopter that was landed in the heart of the capital Thursday evening, as well as a tank that had been deployed in Afghanistan and several other armoured vehicles.

Kids can check out a Bison, which is possibly my favourite name for military hardware. #dayofhonour pic.twitter.com/kyw2K5JWL9

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) May 9, 2014

Suffice it to say not all the #DayofHonour parade is on foot. #bigLAVs pic.twitter.com/bewYr2joQd

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) May 9, 2014

#DayofHonour Parliament Hill pic.twitter.com/qz0zvR0QfI

— Senate of Canada (@SenateCA) May 9, 2014

During the ceremony, some military planes flew by.

Fly-bys show respect and they occur on national days and on special occasions and anniversaries. #DayofHonour pic.twitter.com/NFdcEWLjas

— Canadian Forces (@CanadianForces) May 9, 2014

#dayofhonour fly-by continues pic.twitter.com/IiZKaCl8qU

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) May 9, 2014

Ok I swear that Globemaster pilot could have touched the top of the Peace Tower. #flyinglow

— Josh Wingrove (@josh_wingrove) May 9, 2014