Friday, November 11, 2016

A Day of Remembrance





Canadians will pause at the eleventh minute, of the eleventh hour of this eleventh day of November, reflecting on the sacrifice of those through the last century who have sacrificed their lives in service for their country, as well as to salute those that served the nation both in the wars of the past and to those who uphold our military commitments today.

Ceremonies of Remembrance will be held both in the national capital and in cities and towns across the nation, the Ottawa ceremony, will be nationally broadcast on all of the major network and news channels starting at 7 AM British Columbia time.




In Prince Rupert, the local Remembrance Day ceremony will take place at the Court House cenotaph, with the march past to the Court House starting at 10:45, the wreath laying ceremony should start at 11 AM.

Veterans Affairs Canada has been profiling some of the historical moments of the nations military heritage, making available a number of links for Canadians to explore.

A Closer Look
Heroes Remember
A Day of Remembrance
Canada's Military History
Faces of Remembrance
Postcards for Peace
Profiles of Courage

Of particular focus are the preparations to commemorate one of the centennial of one of most recognized moments in Canadian History, the Battle of Vimy Ridge, which will be marked in April of 2017.

The Veterans Affairs page dedicated to that commemoration can be found here.








One important historical feature to review is the online version of the Books of Remembrance, the moving listings of Canada's War Dead that can be found in the Peace Tower of the Centre Block of Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

The Virtual War Memorial an online reference provides the opportunity for Canadians to search the books or to seek out information through a search engine.

You can explore that resource page here.

The National Film Board is also providing a number of their films and documentaries on Canada's past war efforts, peace keeping missions and other areas of interest related to Canada's military.

The front page of the NFB site offers the links to a variety of options that can add to your awareness of Remembrance Day and why we pause to reflect.

The CBC is also hosting a number of documentary features on their website for Remembrance Day, you can review what they have to offer here.

Residents on the North Coast can bring the Remembrance Day observances to an end later this evening, by viewing the Prince Rupert Cenotaph Ceremony recorded earlier in the day courtesy of CityWest. Cable Ten will be showing the day's events at 6 PM.

More information on the CityWest plans for the Northwest can be found here.


In Flanders fields the poppies blow 
Between the crosses, row on row, 
That mark our place; and in the sky 
The larks, still bravely singing, fly 
Scarce heard amid the guns below. 


We are the Dead. Short days ago 
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, 
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie 
In Flanders Fields. 


Take up our quarrel with the foe: 
To you from failing hands we throw 
The torch; be yours to hold it high. 
If ye break faith with us who die 
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow 
In Flanders Fields.



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