Today is Remembrance Day here in Canada, the date of the end of the First World War. It's going to be an odd one, with Covid-19 meaning that the national service is scaled down and invite only, without the elderly veterans taking part, but understandable under the current circumstances. Late in the month I'll be taking you on a visit to the Canadian War Museum.
For the occasion, I decided to focus today on a single monument. Back in early April I was heading to the Rideau Falls, near this location, and came across a monument I've shown you before: the Defence Of Hong Kong Monument. Canadian soldiers in the Royal Rifles of Canada and the Winnipeg Grenadiers were stationed in Hong Kong during World War Two, along with support personnel. When Japanese forces struck at Pearl Harbor, they did the same elsewhere in the Pacific, including at Hong Kong, where Canadian soldiers fought in a bloody battle before being taken prisoners of war. All who served there, including support personnel, have their names inscribed on this monument. Those who died in battle or as POWs have a small cross or double armed cross inscribed with their names.
Reflected in these two shots is the building housing the National Research Council labs, across the street from this monument.
It will be very different this year. All our High Streets have been decorated with giant poppies but there won't be the usual services as the country is in lockdown again. Your post is a good reminder that regardless of circumstances this year we should not forget.
ReplyDeleteVery moving
ReplyDeleteIt was Remembrance Day on 4th November in Italy.
ReplyDeleteIt seems an endless row of names.
ReplyDeleteAll those young lives lost, so sad.
Great discovery, saved for a day such as this one.
ReplyDeleteIn Europe only France and Belgium have a day off and celebrate the 11 Nov ! Each year they want to cancel it as the other countries did because now we are all friends, but so far it hasn't been done and people are happy to have one more day off. Often they don't even know why ! Our King lays down a wreath. This year with the Coronavirus it was even more reduced.
ReplyDeletePara que ninguém esqueça.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e continuação de uma boa semana.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros
Hello,
ReplyDeleteIt is Veterans Day here too, it is sad to see so many names.
Take care, enjoy your day!
It is good to remember.
ReplyDeleteSo many young lives lost, so sad to think about ✨
ReplyDelete...a wonderful memorial.
ReplyDeleteI hope by next Remembrance Day everything can be back to normal.
ReplyDeleteSo many names. I pray for a day when we no longer have war. And thank you for this memorial. Lest we forget.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent post for today!
ReplyDeleteSuch a very sad sight, so much "waste"...
ReplyDeleteIt really was a world war when it happened in so many places .
ReplyDeleteRemembering those who died so that we may live in a free country. So many young men. So many sad families.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful memorial.
ReplyDeleteLest we forget.
ReplyDeleteWonderful memorial post and photos ~ such a isolating world we live in at the moment
ReplyDeleteLive each moment with love,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Moving tribute
ReplyDelete@Fun60: there have been ways to mark the occasion regardless. I've paid my respects at the national memorial here in the last hour.
ReplyDelete@Lady Fi: it is.
@Italiafinlandia: that I didn't know.
@Jan: there are a lot of names on that memorial.
@Anvilcloud: it felt appropriate.
@Gattina: it seemed inevitable with coronavirus.
@Francisco: thank you.
@Eileen: thank you.
ReplyDelete@Marianne: it is.
@Grace: true.
@Tom: I agree.
@Marie: me too.
@DJan: you're welcome.
@Sharon: I agree.
@Iris: quite true.
ReplyDelete@Red: it really did.
@Shammickite: that's true.
@Bill: I think so.
@RedPat: indeed.
@Carol: that's true.
@Maywyn: thank you.
A terrible price paid.
ReplyDeleteThis is a most impressive monument. I still remember your posts on John McCrae and In Flanders Field, something I think of often on this day of remembrance.
ReplyDeleteWar sucks. No never, no more.
ReplyDeleteWar is the epitome of hate.
ReplyDeleteTwas a very different one for many.
ReplyDelete@Revrunner: indeed.
ReplyDelete@Jeanie: I do too.
@Joanne: hopefully.
@Magiceye: it can be.
@Jennifer: it was.
a thoughtful Remembrance Day
ReplyDeleteMB
Indeed.
Delete