Canadians gathered in Ottawa and across the country Friday to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives in military service.

At the National War Memorial in Ottawa, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Gov. Gen. David Johnston -- in uniform as commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces -- and this year's Silver Cross Mother Patricia Braun laid wreaths in honour of those who have been killed.

Thousands packed the ceremony grounds where "O Canada" was sang, followed by a bugler playing "The Last Post" before two minutes of silence were observed.

The crowd stood solemnly after a cannon-blast announced the beginning of the moment of silence, until another cannon announced the conclusion and a bugler played "The Last Lament."

"There is no greater sacrifice than to lay down your life for your friends," said a chaplain speaking at the ceremony.

He added: "Their ultimate sacrifice inspires us in our own search for a better world."

Many attendees shared memories of their loved ones, including George Storm, whose brother Cpl. Albert Storm, was killed in Afghanistan five years ago.

"Smart kid, big mouth, big heart, huge hands; loved his job and loved his country," is how Storm described his late brother.

"My brother's with me every day," he added.

Others recalled how they celebrated when their wars ended. Former Navy captain Harold Chase was in Italy at the close of the Second World War.

"I didn't drink then, so I couldn't have a drink. I had another cigarette and had a big grin on my face," he recalled.

The ceremony ended with what has become a tradition, as participants placed their poppies on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as they filed past.

Cenotaphs across the country hosted events similar to the one in Ottawa.

CTV's Atlantic Bureau Chief Todd Battis said as many as 6,000 people attended a ceremony early Friday in Halifax braving the remnants of tropical storm Sean.

"It seemed like small sacrifice to come and stand in what amounts to a tropical storm, still it was a shortened ceremony and a lot of ceremonies in Atlantic Canada have been moved inside, yet a lot of people felt they had to be here today," Battis said, reporting from a rainy Halifax.

The location had been filled with Occupy Halifax protesters until a few days ago, when they were asked to leave so the city could prepare for the ceremony.

In Ottawa a huge oil painting called Portraits of Honour was delivered to the War Museum, featuring portraits of 157 Canadian military personnel killed in Afghanistan.

Another soldier was killed in Afghanistan since the painting was completed -- Edmonton-based Master Cpl. Byron Greff.

In Langley, B.C., a tree will be planted for each of the Canadians killed in Afghanistan.

In Toronto, two people were arrested at a Remembrance Day ceremony at the city's downtown cenotaph. A Mountie in red serge sprang into action after a man and woman tried to disrupt the event.

A 58-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman were taken into custody.

Later in the day, ceremonies were held in Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and in countless smaller cities and towns in between.

Early Friday a final Remembrance Day ceremony was held at Kandahar Airfield.

Defence Minister Peter MacKay was at the military base to honour Canada's fallen soldiers, reading aloud a list of 158 Canadians who were killed in Afghanistan.

Canada's military mission has ended in Afghanistan, and a crew of about 1,000 are packing up this country's equipment with the goal of finishing by the end of the year. About 900 Canadian troops will remain in Afghanistan in a training capacity.

The families of some of the fallen were with MacKay to place poppies on the memorial known as the Joint Task Force Afghanistan Cenotaph to our Fallen, which will be dismantled on Saturday and brought to Ottawa.

"It's a very solemn feeling knowing that with each name, it's piercing the heart of a family to have lost a loved one here," MacKay later told reporters. "But there's also an enormous sense of pride that those sacrifices are not in vain."

MacKay said he was "very confident" in saying that Canadian troops have changed Afghanistan for the better.

"I'm feeling very confident in saying that we have changed this country for the better. Canadian soldiers will leave here knowing that they have secured a better future for Afghans," MacKay said.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement, drawing a comparison between Canada's veterans of the First and Second World War, and those currently serving in Afghanistan.

"The values our veterans held dear decades ago are still very much alive today in those who continue to serve our great country, be it at home or abroad, through peace support or combat missions," Harper said.

"The unparalleled spirit, skills and devotion of the members of the Canadian Armed Forces are an example for us all, and our thoughts remain with members currently serving in Afghanistan."