Nine soldiers from Ontario who died in the line of duty were honoured during a special ceremony on Friday at Queen's Park.

Premier Dalton McGuinty presented "Tribute to the Fallen" plaques to the families of the troops.

The ceremony, which also honours police officers and firefighters killed on the job, is meant to acknowledge the sacrifices of the men and women who have given their lives for the good of the province and the country, McGuinty said.

"The people we honour today probably didn't see themselves as great men -- they were simply doing their job and they took tremendous pride in that,'' McGuinty said

"They stepped forward and said, `I'll serve.' They were loyal, they protected the innocent.

"We must honour the courage it takes to answer a dangerous call to duty and we will never forget their service and sacrifice."

The premier's words brought tears to the faces of some family members.

The framed tribute plaques he presented contain a specially designed trillium and a brass plate with a commemorative inscription.

Brig.-Gen. Alan Howard also attended the solemn ceremony at the legislature.

"These Canadian soldiers from Ontario will be missed not only by their immediate families, but by their extended military family and by their fellow Ontarians," he said.

"With unwavering dedication, they served honourably the people of Canada and Ontario at home and abroad."

Orangeville resident Ron McCully, whose 25-year-old son Matthew was killed in Afghanistan in May, said the government recognition was important to him.

"These men are committed ... to offering their lives if they have to in defence of freedom,'' McCully said.

"We're going to lose more men -- that is a fact of war, there's no question about that -- but we have to respect them and we have to respect their families as this goes on.''

He has created the Matthew McCully Foundation, aimed at supporting troops returning home from action and supporting the families of fallen soldiers.

The other honoured men were:

  • Lt. Mark Ashley, of Toronto
  • Trooper Darryl Caswell, of Bowmanville
  • Capt. Matthew Dawe, of Kingston
  • Master Cpl. Anthony Klumpenhouwer, of Listowel
  • Capt. Kevin Naismith, of Toronto
  • Cpl. Randy Payne, of Gananoque
  • Cpl. Brent Poland, of Brampton
  • Cpl. Albert Storm, of Niagara Falls.

Remembrance Day ceremonies

Fallen soldiers and war veterans were honoured at Remembrance Day ceremonies throughout Greater Toronto Area schools on Friday.

At the foot of Soldiers' Tower at the University of Toronto's Hart House, students read prayers, sang hymns and laid wreaths.

A special ceremony was also held at the Aerospace Museum at Downsview Park, which was attended by students in Grades 1 through 4 from Central Montessori and Sheppard Public School.

The pupils recited "In Flanders Fields" and told war veterans what Remembrance Day means to them.

"We're glad that we can be here to talk to them and know that they have an interest," said Acting Sgt. (ret'd) Ryan Mitchell, who attended with his grandson.

For a list of Remembrance Day ceremonies taking place in Toronto on Sunday, click here.

With a report from CTV's Galit Solomon and files from The Canadian Press