Veterans were joined by Canadians in cities across the country Sunday to commemorate the end of the Second World War on the 60th anniversary of Japan's surrender.

The Victory in Japan Day services were on the same day that the ashes of Canada's last Victoria Cross winner Ernest (Smokey) Smith were scattered in the Pacific Ocean.

Smith's family held a private service in Vancouver aboard HMCS Ottawa.

It was the final ceremony after a week of nationwide recognition for the last Canadian to receive the Commonwealth's highest award for bravery.

Capt. Leah Gillespie was one of the few people who attended the private service, held at the entrance to Vancouver harbour.

"It was a very fitting closure to the event," Gillespie said.

"Because it was private it was a chance for (Smith's family) to finally get some closure."

On the other side of town, about 300 people, most of them in uniform, turned up at Victory Square for a VJ-Day commemoration service for other veterans.

It paid tribute to Canadians who served in Hong Kong, Burma and the Far East, as well as members of HMCS Uganda, HMCS Prince Robert and the Merchant Navy.

Although the veterans being honoured in the ceremony fought over half a century ago, their memories of war were as clear as ever.

John Cotton first served in the navy in 1942.

"I can remember the expressions on people's faces," Cotton said, recalling some of the difficult experiences he endured.

"I'm writing it all now," he said.

Air Force veteran George Dungey said the ceremony brought back memories.

"When you're sitting there (during the ceremony), your mind goes back to good friends that you've lost," Dungey said.

Cam Cathcart, with the Remembrance Day Observance Committee, said that while it's significant for the country to have honoured Smith a day earlier the VJ-Day ceremonies included all veterans of the Second World War.

"It's the 60th anniversary of the end of the war, which is a celebration in itself," Cathcart said.

"It marks a turning point in the public's consciousness about the significance of the war being over. We still have a lot to do, a lot has happened since the end of the war but we're a richer nation because of what (the soldiers) did for us in the past."

The ceremony ended with a parade, with some veterans marching along and others being driven in army vehicles.

In Ottawa about 100 veterans who fought in the Far East marched past the National War Memorial to observe a war museum dedication.