Remembrance Day Barbie

Remembrance Day Barbie 2

Remembrance Day Barbie 1

Remembrance Day is not a Statutory Holiday (Private Member's Bills notwithstanding) but it is a day that is marked by many people.

When November 11th falls on the weekend, I can join the somber throngs of people at the War Memorial in Confederation Square.  The children's choir sings in a treble key far above my alto range.  Several religious leaders read invocations.  Dignitaries including the Prime Minister, the Governor General and the Mayor lay wreaths.  The Silver Cross Mother breaks all of our hearts when she steps forward to lay a wreath.  The cannons on Parliament Hill rattle the windows on Sparks Street.  The part that touches me deeply is the Last Post calling everyone to begin the Silence.  The gun sounds at 11:00, the Peace Tower clock begins to toll.  Then after two minutes we hear the second gun and the piper plays the Lament.  It is very moving.

Most years I have to work so I take my class to the War Museum.  Admission is free and many veterans are in attendance to serve as docents. The Lebreton Gallery has big-screen televisions broadcasting the ceremonies at the War Memorial.  The museum has a fantastic feature; a window that allows a shaft of light to pierce the building and illuminate the headstone of an unknown soldier at exactly 11:00 on November 11th. In Regeneration Hall, there is a window that  looks out to the Peace Tower.  Here, casts from the Vimy Ridge Memorial are displayed and you can hear a haunting sound-scape that was recorded during the construction phase. The wind blowing through the unfinished structure had a weird resonance that could be heard for miles.

This year people will particularly remember Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent who was killed in Montreal.  And all will be very aware that they are the National War Memorial where a gunman killed Cpl. Nathan Cirillo as he stood guard.

Lest We Forget/ N'oublions Jamais