Remembrance Day Around The World

[Phil Waterman]

Hi All

Just returned from taking part in Remembrance Day or as it is known in the States as Veterans Day. Driving up to the State Veterans Cemetery to take part in the Commemoration Activities has become sort of the end of the driving season activity for our local MV club.

This year after a particularly contentious election campaign it was particularly remarkable and pleasant to have politician actually having something productive and important to say instead of their campaign speeches.

In particular a comment was made on the history of the day and that it is known in the Commonwealth Nations as Remembrance Day.

This year the trip up 51 miles was made in temperatures in the low thirties the return trip nearly 60 degrees.

Cheers Phil

[hrpearce]

Yesterday I was in Gundagai playing in a bowls tornament, at three minutes to eleven bowls ceased and with all hats removed we held a small ceremony and after eleven bowls resumed and all ages stood to atention.

[Hans Mulder]

It was a cold brisk morning at the cenotaph, but back at the RCL you could warm up with some food and beverages. Did the Legion and ANAVETS crawl till mid evening...good to see the turnout.

[Private_collector]

Andy C. and I were on the road to a site of CMP parts. Just before 1100hrs I scanned the rural radio stations for one which was starting to transmit The Ode, Last Post, and the minute of silence. Eventually found a crackling, barely intelligable ABC station and observed the period of silence.

The truely disappointing sign of the times is how many of the wireless stations I searched past before I found the one transmitting the brief service ritual. It pains me that the importance of Remembrance Day is being diluted, in preference to another half a song or advertisement.

On the other side of the coin, although an expectation (and eventuality) of grubby work removing vintage parts, Andy had a poppy pinned to his pocket, and despite me expressing concerns that it may be damaged or lost, it remained in place for the duration! Wish I had done likewise actually.

Lest We Forget

[RHClarke]

I attended the ceremony at the National War Memorial in downtown Ottawa with a group of friends. There was a very large crowd that attended the ceremony and the weather was suitably somber. There was supposed to be a fly past by two vintage aircraft, but the low ceiling prevented their participation. The Royal Canadian Air Force did a fly past with some CF-18 fighters, but I didn't see them, but you certainly could hear them! A few of the members of this forum participated in the parade after the ceremony driving some vets past the saluting base.

It was a nice to just be part of the crowd this year. Next year, the family will take in a ceremony in a small town or village, just for a change in scenery.

[Jon Skagfeld]

Originally Posted by RHClarke

I attended the ceremony at the National War Memorial in downtown Ottawa with a group of friends. There was a very large crowd that attended the ceremony and the weather was suitably somber. There was supposed to be a fly past by two vintage aircraft, but the low ceiling prevented their participation. The Royal Canadian Air Force did a fly past with some CF-18 fighters, but I didn't see them, but you certainly could hear them! A few of the members of this forum participated in the parade after the ceremony driving some vets past the saluting base.

It was a nice to just be part of the crowd this year. Next year, the family will take in a ceremony in a small town or village, just for a change in scenery.

...in a small town or village.

The small village of Chatsworth, south of Owen Sound, Ontario. (A place that many MLUers will remember). An unusually warm day, although with strong winds.

An easy 1 km march along the highway with the traffic suitably detoured for us and controlled by the Ontario Provincial Police.

The normal observances at the Cenotaph, with a much larger crowd than is usual, then a brisk 1 km march back to the Legion for munchies and drinks.

I think the good weather allowed people to listen to and really experience the ceremony (instead of being inwardly concentrating on staying warm!)

[Eric Korhonen]

I unfortunatly have had to work last 3 years on remembrance day. The last 2years I have been underground at the mine at 11:00 o'clock. There has been a small service done over the radio underground. All are asked to to stop production and shut all the equipment off for the service. A fellow miner does the ceremony and does an excellent job. It is not the same as being at a regular ceremony but we still did our part to remember all the brave men and women who did so much for us so we may all have this great way of life that we enjoy today.

Eric