Updated: Mon Nov. 09 2009 15:50:07

ctvedmonton.ca

Eighty-one per cent of Canadians believe that observing Remembrance Day is an important way to show support for Canada's troops in Afghanistan, according to a recent survey.

"Not only do Canadians greatly respect the sacrifices made by veterans, 87 per cent believe that the actions of our veterans and current members of our armed forces have advanced the cause of peace and freedom in many parts of the world," said Brendan Wycks, executive director of MRIA.

The survey, conducted by Research House for VoxPop, a campaign by the Marketing Research and Intelligence Association (MRIA), found 78 per cent of respondents wear a poppy and 47 per cent of people plan to make an effort each year to personally attend a Remembrance Day ceremony.

The survey also showed 89 per cent of Albertans feel that students should be taught more about the nation's military history in class.

"A striking finding is that Canadians strongly believe that young people and immigrants to Canada should be educated about Canada's military history and our veterans' defence of democracy as a key preserver of our freedom," said Wycks.

And more than 90 per cent of Albertans said they believe young people should have more opportunities to interact with veterans.

The poll was conducted between October 29 and November 1st of this year with a national random sample of 1,002 adult Canadian men and women aged 18 and older.