No Remembrance Day is more important than another in taking time to reflect upon those who have fallen for us.

This year, though, special tributes will mark the 100th anniversary of the First World War armistice.

At dusk on Nov. 11, local churches will be chiming their bells 100 times to mark the occasion. The churches are aiding a nationwide initiative led the Royal Canadian Legion to ring the "Bells of Peace." Church bells across Europe sounded in celebration as word spread of the signing of the armistice.

Following this, Susan Flowers, of the Cochrane Pipe Band, will pipe "Amazing Grace" at the community cenotaph.

Earlier in the day, the annual Remembrance Day service commences at the Cochrane High School gym at 10 a.m. sharp. Steve Jordan, a long-time organizer, estimates 500 to 700 people are normally in attendance.

It's followed by a short parade downhill to the community cenotaph on 5th Ave., next to the Royal Canadian Legion. Parade marshall Dave Usherwood says among those on parade will be strong delegations from the King's Own Calgary Regiment and British Army Reserve at the Trail's End Camp.

At 10:57 a.m. there will be a flyover by the Calgary Flying Club to mark the start of the cenotaph service, emceed by Capt. (ret'd) Bryce Talsma.

There are tight timelines for the service. By 11 a.m.,  The Last Post will be bugled by Alyssa Robbie, followed by two minutes of silence and the reading of "In Flanders Field." Jacob Croucher will read his poem "I Am the Dead" before Robbie bugles Reveille/Rouse.

Jordan says among those being escorted to the cenotaph to lay wreaths are representatives of three families who lost their father/grandfather in the First World War.

A general wreath-laying by the public follows and the base of the cenotaph is a sea of red and green by the end. Afterwards, a special ribbon is wrapped around the wreaths to include the names of the many others who contributed.

The Cochrane Pipe Band will be part of the parade and will perform again at the luncheon that follows at the Legion Hall.

The First World War armistice is a significant moment in history and is the very reason November 11 was selected as Remembrance Day. The armistice came into force at the 11th hour (Paris time) of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 and marked a victory for the allies after four years of bloody warfare.

An estimated 20 million people were left dead and another 21 million were injured. Almost half of the people killed were civilians. Russia, France and Great Britain suffered the highest casualties.

It is estimated as many as 67,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders (not part of Canada at the time) were killed. Largely being a European war, almost all of the Canadian men and women were soldiers.