A second moment of silence took over Saskatoon’s SaskTel Centre Tuesday.

The record crowd of over 10,000 people — attending Canada’s largest indoor Remembrance Day ceremony — first fell silent at 11 a.m. to pay respects to all of Canada’s war heroes and again a short while later in honour of two Canadian soldiers who recently died protecting their country.

The recent attacks on soldiers “heightened everybody to the fact that we are still in danger, we’re not a safe country and that all of our forces are still needed,” said Rosemary Ferguson, president of the Royal Canadian Legion’s Nutana branch in Saskatoon.

“We have to remember them.”

The two-minute silence at 11 a.m. is an annual practice across Canada, Britain and several other countries. The second silence Tuesday paid tribute to Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, who died in a shooting last month while guarding the National War Memorial in Ottawa, and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, who was killed just days earlier in a targeted hit-and-run incident.

The incidents were on everyone’s minds. The SaskTel Centre increased its security for the event with extra Saskatoon police officers on duty as well as bag checks at the entrance.

“I think specifically for this year we’ve put some extra resources here just so everybody can know they’re going to be safe to come to the ceremony,” said police Chief Clive Weighill.

The memorable service included a tribute to the First World War, which began 100 years ago. Fourteen people, including Warrant Officer Alan Rowan, were recognized in honour of family members who served.

Rowan’s uncle and father served in the First World War. His father was 15 years old when he joined the forces.

“His regiment got mustard gas, and so he ended up in the hospital for six months and he was blind for six weeks,” said Rowan.

His father never shared war stories. Rowan found out about the stories when he received his father’s medals.

“I’m really proud to represent not only him, but the rest of the veterans of the First World War,” said Rowan.

The ceremony was only one of many across Saskatchewan.

Regina’s Brandt Centre held an indoor event while a memorial service and wreath laying took place at the city’s cenotaph in Victoria Park.

Mosaic Place in Moose Jaw held a ceremony. Hundreds gathered in Prince Albert. Langham hosted a remembrance event. A service was held at Estevan Comprehensive High School, and a parade took place in Swift Current.