[maple_leaf_eh]

The Canadian public (ie. state) TV broadcaster had two of its usual suspects blathering on and on during live coverage of the ceremonies. Some interesting colour commentary, but not high enough quality to hold my undistracted attention. The CBC can learn a thing or two about broadcasting parades from the BBC's coverage of the Trooping of the Colours. Youtube it for curiousity.

There was one interesting visual for me at least. During the Minute of Silence, I spotted a 95-yr old veteran and his personal assistant, both of whom I had spoken to a month ago. Stanley Fields landed at H-Hour minus 5 to defuse mines and explosives on the beach obstacles before the main parties landed. The sections got ashore and sheltered under the sea wall for two hours under fire. His 5th Field Company had sections on each of the Juno beaches with the mission of clearing the way for others.

There was a similar celebration at the Aviation Museum in Ottawa over the weekend for anyone who couldn't travel overseas. Although there were no AFV's or HMV's, several warbirds and other piston driven planes did their flybys.