The last of the panels in place around the War Memorial deal with more recent additions, such as the installation of the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier (a Canadian soldier who fell at the battle of Vimy Ridge), the additional dates marking other conflicts, the laying of wreaths by dignitaries (including Will and Kate on their visit after their wedding) and one concept that I found particularly poignant. Several years ago two men, one of whom is a Canadian actor and the other a lighting designer, devised an idea to project the names of all Canadian dead of the First World War onto the Memorial in the evenings leading up to Remembrance Day- over 68 000 of them. At some point during those evenings, the name of the Unknown Soldier himself turned up on the surface of the Memorial. It's an ideal and simple tribute- and I think it should be done again.
A wonderful tribute! Have a beautiful weekend!
ReplyDeleteRemembering the past and the lives lost is very important because through sacrifice we get to enjoy today.
ReplyDeletei enjoy the shot of the single solider in front of the monument. ( ;
ReplyDeleteThat idea to shine the names on the memorial was brilliant. I agree, they should do it again.
ReplyDeleteI find this all very poignant, especially the projection of names, including the unknown soldier, in the evening.
ReplyDelete@Nancy: thanks!
ReplyDelete@Bill: I agree.
@Beth: as do I.
@Sharon: it was simple and poignant.
@Lowell: it would be ideal to revisit before the centennial of that war is over.
I do love the memorial. It is brilliant. Such a solemn place.
ReplyDeleteJanis
GDP
This is the true meaning of sacrifice...a certain US politician could learn from it. Maybe.
ReplyDeleteThe memorial monuments in Ottawa are visited and cause one to stop and remember. I think many local monuments are ignored. I'm pretty sure our memorial is very seldom viewed even though it's in a heavy traffic area.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this magnificent memorial. To project the names of all Canadians who died in the First World War must be a moving sight.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea! It's important to remember all those who died for their country!
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful tribute.
ReplyDeleteIt's an impressive tribute.
ReplyDelete@Janis: which fits with a lot of Canadian memorials. The monument at Vimy Ridge is not one of victory, but of sorrow and poignancy.
ReplyDelete@Norma: I doubt he's capable of learning anything at this point in his life.
@Red: monuments and cenotaphs always draw me in.
@Denise: you're welcome, and yes, it was.
@Cheryl: it definitely is.
@Linda: I agree.
@Marleen: yes. I'll be glad when the walls come down and I can see the Memorial in full again. Right now it's just the top half, surrounded by scaffolding. Everything else is hidden by the walls.
A wonderful place.
ReplyDeleteRight to do, and edifying to those who observe!
ReplyDeleteHonoring the ultimate sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteThat's indeed a good a idea for a special tribute. As well as these panels do by telling the history of the monuments.
ReplyDeleteNice. Interesting that a name was displayed for the Unknown Soldier.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you should suggest that to someone.
ReplyDeleteThe projected names is a nice tribute, even a hundred years on.
ReplyDelete@RedPat: it is.
ReplyDelete@Cloudia: absolutely.
@Janey: very much so.
@Jan: there should be a spot nearby to keep them. Maybe the Chambers.
@SRQ: one of so many.
@Mari: I have tweeted these to the Legion. Maybe the same I should do with the two who came up with the idea.
@Kay: it is.