OTTAWA, April 9-- Canada held a grand ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on a drizzling Friday, officially marked the end of an era as the country's last known World War I veteran was gone earlier.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper told the crowd of thousands that the event on Vimy Ridge Day, a day set to remember a major battle in France won by Canadian soldiers during the war 93 years ago, was a goodbye and a homage to "the generation whose fearlessness in war and selflessness in peace first defined our young nation in the eyes of the world."

With the passing of John Babcock, 109, who died in February, " we have sadly lost our last living link to this generation of admirable Canadians," he said, adding that freedom and the responsibility to use it for great purpose are a gift left behind by that generation.

Governor General Michalle Jean said the spirit of Babcock and other witnesses of that war live in the people's memory, and that is precious because of the wisdom that Canadians draw from it.

The Queen Elizabeth II also issued Friday a special statement recognizing the significance of this year's event, which included a 21-gun salute, a fly-past by aircraft, four modern and one vintage, as a time to pay tribute "to the passing of a truly remarkable generation."

Between 1914 and 1918, more than 650,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in the First World War. Of these, more than 170,000 were injured and more than 68,000 lost their lives.

The extraordinary achievements of Canadian troops and Canada's contribution to the war resulted in Canada's emergence as a sovereign nation.

Ceremonies also took place at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France, the Canada Memorial in Green Park in London, England, and across Canada in provincial and territorial capitals.

Source:xinhua