SPERWAN GHAR, Afghanistan — They've all worn the poppies, marched in the parades and observed a moment of silence on past Remembrance Days.

But this year, many soldiers are seeing something different about Nov. 11. They are living the experience as participants and not just as observers.

At every small Canadian outpost in the Panjwaii, Zhari and Kandahar districts, the soldiers will mark the day of remembrance this Sunday. The biggest event will be at Kandahar Air Field where a permanent memorial bears the names and likenesses of the 71 Canadians who have lost their lives since this conflict began five years ago.

"This time, it's a lot more poignant. I've got reason for it. I've just been in several actions where I consider myself to be a veteran now," said Sgt. Scott Schall of Medicine Hat, Alta.

"Beforehand, I'd never been in anything remotely dangerous."

"You're sort of one of the people they're remembering now and it sort of has a different meaning to be on the other side of the fence. You can't think or fathom what those other people went through until you go through it yourself," he added speaking from atop his tank at Forward Operating Base Sperwan Ghar.

Five soldiers have died during this rotation. The most recent, Cpl. Nathan Hornburg, 24 of Calgary was killed Sept. 24, by a mortar shell while trying to repair a Leopard Tank in southern Afghanistan.

Roadside bombs took the lives of Master Warrant Officer Mario Mercier and Master Cpl. Christian Duchesne on Aug. 22 and of Pte. Simon Longtin on Aug. 19.

It is the deaths that makes the conflict hit home even more.

"Now it is more palpable. We see the effect and the price we have to pay for this operation," said Capt. Patrick Hannan, a staff officer at command headquarters at Kandahar Air Field.

"It's my third tour but in the past I never saw the coffins pass on the airstrip, so there is a price to pay. It's not a given. I still think it's worthwhile."

Hannan's uncle spent time as a prisoner of war in Hong Kong in the Second World War and died a few years after the war ended. His picture and medals were always on display.

Many of the soldiers in this part of the world never met those who have died but feel a kinship nonetheless.

"We lost some friends, if you consider we are part of a big family. I didn't personally know them but it hurts just as bad anyway because you know it's one of your partners in this war," explained Cpl. Stephane Beaulieu, 23, of Valcartier, Que.

"We always do our best to remember it. We always end up doing a parade or commemorating in our own way - remembering those who fell before us and appreciating what they did for us."

Cpl. Jaime Aubuchon of Edmonton, currently serving time as an engineer at Forward Operating Base Masum Ghar said this time of year is a time for remembering and being aware of the dangers.

"We'll have our moments of silence. It will be an important day and we'll get to remember everyone we've lost on this tour and the past. It's like a wake-up call I guess," she said.

Maj. Warren Smith, the battery commander, X Battery - Canadian Battle Group, said he has attended services, marched in parades as a cadet, reservist and regular soldier.

Even he said the emotion and sentiment of this day has changed - perhaps forever - for most of the soldiers serving here and for their friends and families at home.

"It brings it a little closer to home. It's not just memories of a cold November, rainy day, with grey skies and filled with grey-haired veterans around," Maj. Smith reflected.

"There's an awful lot of black-haired veterans around today and some who are no longer with us. So yeah, it does bring it a little closer to home."