A ceremony Sunday in Ottawa commemorated the fifth anniversary of the end of Canada's mission in Afghanistan.

The event was held at the National War Memorial Sunday afternoon. Those in attendance paid tribute to the 151 soldiers and seven civilians who lost their lives during the 12-year conflict.

Canada withdrew in March 2014, but the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan, which began in 2001, continues to this date. The conflict has led to the deaths of thousands of Afghan civilians and international troops.

Anita Cenerini is the first military mother who lost a child to suicide to be named as the Silver Cross Mother. (Jillian Taylor/ CBC)

Veterans Affairs Minister Lawrence MacAulay and the national Silver Cross Mother, Anita Cenerini, were in attendance, flanked by veterans and their families.

Event recognizes 'sacrifices of Canadians'

Liberal MP Stéphane Lauzon, who is also parliamentary secretary to the federal minister of veterans affairs, said it's important to commemorate this anniversary.

"We want to recognize the sacrifices of Canadians who have returned from this mission, some with visible injuries and others with injuries that are not visible," he said.

Veteran Nicolas Hébert said he served in Afghanistan from August 2006 to March 2007.

Veteran Nicolas Hébert said he served in Afghanistan from August 2006 to March 2007. (Florence Ngué-No/Radio-Canada)

Hébert said his deployment affected his mental and physical health. He said he suffers from back and knee injuries as well as post-traumatic stress disorder.

"It is important to commemorate the sacrifice of the people who were there," he said at Sunday's event in a French-language interview with Radio-Canada.

"With the help of my family and friends, and the medical help I have received over the past 12 years, it has helped me to recover."