A moving tribute to honour Bermuda’s war dead was the order of the day for countless Bermudians and visitors alike on Remembrance Day.For Governor George Fergusson, it marked a first for him to inspect Bermuda’s war veterans as hundreds lined the streets to witness the solemn tribute.“I was impressed by the spectacle, the solemnity and the sense of remembrance,” he said, after the ceremony.He recently met the widows of two Bermuda veterans who served in both World Wars, and since his arrival he has read “in the Hour of Victory”, the book of the letters of Major Toby Smith, who was killed in the Second World War.“To younger people that may seem a long way off, but my daughter rang us ten days ago with the news of the death of a good friend who was killed in Afghanistan at the beginning of last week. So there is a current sacrifice also to be remembered,” said Mr Fergusson.In today’s world, it is extremely important for young people to know the sacrifices made by those who came before, he said.“These sacrifices are still going on today for young people who are only 18-, 19- or 20-years-old who have been killed in the last year,” he said of soldiers who had been killed in action. “All of them are models of discipline, sacrifice and thinking about the wider community which is a message which is relevant always.”The British-style pomp and pageantry of the service was also very familiar.“My wife and I watched the services on television and it was very much on the same lines,” he said. “We also watched the Prince of Wales in New Zealand, which is where we has spent the last four years. It’s a global day of significance and it was an honour to take part in one of these ceremonies.”Mrs Fergusson noted the similarities of the services worldwide. “It’s quite extraordinary the world over when we’re all doing the same thing.”She noted the similarities of the Cenotaphs in Auckland, at Whitehall in London and the one on Front Street. “They all have the same design, its just intensely moving somehow,” she said.War veterans were treated to a special luncheon after the ceremony hosted by the Bermuda Regiment. The Governor, who returned to Government House briefly to change clothing was also in attendance.“I changed into something more comfortable and I’m wearing the tie of the Burma Star Association. My father was in the war in Burma and that is also on my mind,” he said.Heading up the culinary team was Wayne Hastings Furbert, who has been in the Regiment since the 1970s.“This parade is very special to me because it honours people who have laid down their lives for us to be free. It’s a good feeling for us to be able to support them.” he said. “We started preparing for this on Saturday and cooked throughout the day and into the night to present our veterans with a first class luncheon after the parade.”The carving station was filled with fine cuts of poultry, fish and a huge leg of roast beef with all the trimmings. Also among the many invited guests was a group from US Military Historical Tours.William McCulloch of Woodbridge, Virginia, said: “We came back for the Marine Corps birthday and the Remembrance Day Parade in Bermuda. I thought the parade was beautiful, and it was a pleasure to watch the grand British tradition of the military, which made this trip all the more worthwhile.”Another veteran, Edward McHenry, 88 of California said: “Its always a very sombre occasion for me, it touches my heart every year. It was a beautiful ceremony and it was great to be here.”Bermudian, Austin Simons Jr, like many others, marched to honour the legacy of his grandfather, Charles Oliver Curtis, who was stationed in France during the Second World War.“I’m here to carry on his legacy, for what he has done for all of us. I too was in the Bermuda Regiment and the Bermuda Militia, I volunteered for the army which has always been a part of my life.“I want to keep it going as long as I’m able, I even have his medals on, and if you notice there were quite a few of us here to represent loved ones who have passed on.“I must admit it really touched me last year because it was the first time we got to see the War Memorial and when I saw my grandfather’s name I broke down a little bit because it really touched me.”He dined with Betty Curtis, whose husband, the late Charles Curtis, served in the Second World War.“He’s been gone for eleven years now and this ceremony always touches me,” she said. “They send me an invitation every year and I make sure to attend for as long as I can.”Laying the wreath on behalf of the Bermuda War Veterans Association was Canon Thomas Nesbitt, who lamented the passing of veterans who died within the past year.“Its always sad to see the numbers go down but that’s life, isn’t it? I’m just glad to be part of it and as long as I’m able, I hope to be here again next year.”