In an emotional tribute, hundreds lined the streets of Hamilton on Sunday to acknowledge Bermuda's past and present war veterans and their sacrifices in two World Wars.

And for the 45 plus veterans it was a Remembrance Day of reflection, pride and thankfulness that the Island took the time to remember them and their contributions.

In traditional form, the Sunday morning ceremony was full of military pomp, with crowds cheering the Bermuda Regiment, its marching band and the Somerset Brigade Band as they made their way through Front Street.

And while the crowd looked on, Bermuda's political leaders - Governor Thorold Masefield, Premier Jennifer Smith, and Opposition leader Grant Gibbons - stood shoulder to shoulder in a show of solidarity for the former soldiers, who stood proudly during the morning's activities.

As each leader laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in honour of those lost, many in attendance said this ceremony seemed to hold an even more special meaning in light of the current state of the world's affairs.

As one spectator said, the events of September 11 made him appreciate his freedoms and liberties and he was reminded why US military personnel were fighting in Afghanistan.

American visitor John Falcort said: "This is good to see - I can't help but think of the troops over there in Afghanistan fighting for us. This day really brings the reality of what's happening in the world into focus. We have to remember them - especially on this day."

As the marching bands belted out military tunes, the sight of the aged veterans standing on Front Street, brought tears to the eyes of some spectators, who recalled what life was like during the wartime era.

An emotional Margaret Emmott said: "I have great affection for two people in the parade today. I think it's a wonderful display of dignity - and the affection and the appreciation of the crowd for the veterans who do turn up is very moving. For years, I refused to go with my parents to any of the parades because I used to get so distraught - and last year I went to Normandy (France) to the beaches and the cemetery and they practically had to carry me off on stretcher from those places - because they were just young boys back then. But I think that, particularly with all the problems that are going on in the world, this has extra special meaning."

And veteran Clinton Furbert said that as each year passes, there is concern for war veterans who may not live to see the next parade.

He believed that more attention and appreciation should be given, because the number of Bermudian veterans is dwindling.

"A lot of the fellas are not able to get out anymore," Mr. Furbert said. "Quite a few have gone. But everything was lovely today.

"It was nice to see my old friends again. It means a lot and it brings back memories. I served in the Caribbean Regiment and I have been doing the parade ever since they started back in the 1940s."

And Raymond DeShields, whose 93-year-old father took part in Sunday's ceremony, summed up the days events and said: "I think with what is going on now it means a lot more to him, because he knows what war is and he knows what killing is like. I'm sure he can sympathise with the men who are fighting now.

"But yes they are getting older and when November 11, comes around, they really look forward to it. They have the respect of the general public and they realise that these men have sacrificed themselves in the war so that we could be free."