Remembrance Day in Ottawa

dkoyanagi

Here are some photos from my latest trip to Ottawa.


Parliament Hill and the Ottawa River


Library of Parliament


Rideau Canal locks

I was in Ottawa two years ago on vacation. This time, I was here to attend the National Memorial Service on Remembrance Day (Veteran's Day in the U.S.). It's something I've always wanted to do. This year I finally got off my duff and actually did it.

The service was to start at 11am at the National War Memorial. I got there an hour early to stake out a good spot, but the crowd was already six deep.



I thought I had picked a good spot. It turned out to be probably the worst possible spot to stand. After more people showed up I couldn't see the war memorial where the ceremony was happening. I was also standing right next to the Jumbotron, so I couldn't see that either. I did have a great view of the roof-top snipers, though. I'm sure they had a good view of me as well.



At about 10 minutes before 11:00 the parade started.




Army and Air Force


RCMP


Sea Cadets


Regimental pipe bands

Of course, the loudest cheers were for the veterans.





Since I didn't have a good view of the war memorial, I didn't get any photos of the actual service. It was attended by the Governor General of Canada, the Prime Minister, the Chief of the Defense Staff, Veteran's Affairs minister, other dignitaries and the Ottawa diplomatic corps. The service was as follows:

O Canada
Last Post (bugle call)
Two minutes silence
Rouse (bugle call)
Act of Remembrance
21 gun salute
In Flanders Fields
God Save the Queen
March Past

During the Act of Remembrance, the presiding chaplain recites the following words:

They shall grow not old as we are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn;
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Then the crowd replies in unison

We will remember them.

After the service everyone converges on the War Memorial. It was a good crowd, with plenty of young people.








Tourist poses with a Mountie.






Wreaths laid by the diplomatic corps.



During the two weeks leading up to Remembrance Day, Canadians pin red poppies to their clothes as an act of remembrance. (In fact, I was in a bit of a panic the day before because I had lost my poppy. It fell off my jacket while I was adjusting my camera bag and it blew away in the wind. You can't go to a Remembrance Day service without a poppy. It just isn't done. Fortunately I found a bookstore that was selling poppies and I was able to replace it.)



After the memorial service, people leave their poppies on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located at the foot of the National War Memorial. Men and women in uniform would stand to attention and salute the tomb before placing their poppies.









Of course, the place was crawling with photogs.



I came back to the memorial later that night.



There were still people putting poppies on the tomb.







Remember, lest we forget.

bob swanson

You did a great job. Were there any signs of protesters? Or is this a day that Canadiens just honor their vet's?
bsvirginian

Ann McRae

Remember, lest we forget.


These are very moving photos. I did not know about placing poppies on the tomb - those photos particularly touched me.

Thanks for sharing.


ann

dkoyanagi

bob swanson wrote:

You did a great job. Were there any signs of protesters? Or is this a day that Canadiens just honor their vet's?
bsvirginian

Thanks Bob! I didn't see any protesters. This was a day to honor the vets and remember the war dead.

dkoyanagi

Ann McRae wrote:

Remember, lest we forget.


These are very moving photos. I did not know about placing poppies on the tomb - those photos particularly touched me.

Thanks for sharing.


ann

Thanks Ann! Placing poppies on the tomb started only a few years ago, so not many people know about it.

anonymouscuban

The last two images are my favorite of the bunch.

dkoyanagi

anonymouscuban wrote:

The last two images are my favorite of the bunch.

Thanks cuban!

ian408

The first of the evening tomb shots is particularly moving. The lighting makes it so.

Thanks for sharing those.

dkoyanagi

ian408 wrote:

The first of the evening tomb shots is particularly moving. The lighting makes it so.

Thanks for sharing those.

Thanks Ian!

grimace

Beautiful work!!

jethibod

I live in Ottawa, and was out for a walk one day in late August, and stopped to talk to a commissionaire who is posted beside the war memorial during the summer. The commissionaire on duty was a veteran, and he was such a sweet, soft spoken man. He told me the story of the Unknown Soldier, and right there, I was moved to tears.

The remains of an unknown soldier from World War I were found at Vimy Ridge in France in the year 2000, and brought back to Canada to be buried. However, because authorities had no idea which province the soldier was from, delegates were sent across the country to collect earth from each province and territory, so that ultimately the soldier might be buried in his own soil.

Thank you for sharing these pictures - I particularly love the ones of the wreaths - it was so moving to see them being placed on the memorial.