Veterans, politicians, and residents alike yesterday paid respects to the men and women who died in this century's two World Wars.

Governor Thorold Masefield led Premier Jennifer Smith and the heads of the Bermuda Regiment, Police and Fire Services in laying wreaths at the Cenotaph, erected almost 80 years ago to honour people struck down in World War One.

Visitors were regaled during the solemn ceremony with the sight of Gov.

Masefield in his plumed hat and more than eighty veterans standing to attention.

The Regiment, Police Reserves, Sea Cadets, Boys Brigade, and the North Village, Somerset Brigade, and the Salvation Army bands also turned out in dress uniforms on the semicircular green in front of the Cabinet Building.

Gov. Masefield stopped and chatted with Cabinet Ministers while walking to his post in front of the Cenotaph.

During an inspection of the old troopers and seamen, he shared jokes with the men, all of whom stood at parade rest for more than a half hour.

Also in attendance were the Bishop of Bermuda, Ewen Ratteray, Presiding Elder of the African Methodist Episcopalian Church Malcolm Eve, and Roman Catholic Bishop of Hamilton, Robert Kurtz.

The ceremony, featured "The Last Post'' and "Reveille'' played by Bugler Sgt. Maj. Neilson DeGraff and a bagpipe performance by Roderick "Billy'' Ferguson.

President of the Bermuda War Veterans Association, Frank Farmer, who served in the Royal Navy during World War Two, said after the ceremony: "Another year has gone by and regretfully ten more veterans have passed.

"This is going to happen of course, but it's a hard day for us,'' he added.

Among the men who passed during the past 12 months was former Premier and Canadian Air Force pilot Sir John Sharpe, who took part in the parade since returning in the 1940s and laid wreaths during his tenure in the 1970s.

Conspicuous in the ranks of the soldiers and sailors was one Australian or New Zealand trooper in his upturned bush hat, paratroopers with their jaunty red berets and a female RCAF veteran.

Rev. Graeme Carruth, of Emmanuel Methodist Church, Southampton, wearing his Royal Canadian Navy Chaplain's uniform, watched the proceedings from the public area.

Standing with his wife, Winnie, he said: "Remembrance Day brings to mind the pain and cost of war, even after the veterans are long gone. Obviously I'm not on active service but it's important to show respect.'' Bermuda College technology Dean Charles Finn and his wife Joyce said they were impressed by the well-organised ceremony.

"I thought it was a moving ceremony,'' he said. "It's extremely important to remember the sacrifices made. The first war was to end all wars and then less than a generation later, there was a second one.'' Dr. Finn, an American, added: "For that reason it's good to remember. My father died in the Second World War, so this is important to me. The two minutes of silence and hearing the cannon were quite touching.'' Speaking about the advancing age and dwindling number of vets in the parade, American visitor Dawn Ames said: "They're getting older and fewer. Let's hope that one day there won't be any veterans -- in that there won't be any more wars. That's why we shouldn't forget.'' Photos by Tony Cordeiro Eyes right!: Led by Llewellyn Petty, local and foreign veterans march past the Cenotaph on Front Street yesterday watched by Premier Jennifer Smith, Opposition leader Pamela Gordon, Honorary Colonel of the Bermuda Regiment Lt.

Col. Eugene Raynor, and Police Commissioner Jean-Jacques Lemay.

Broad shoulders: World War Two veterans John DeShields and William J. Hayward paid their respects yesterday for their fallen comrades from the two World Wars.