Commemorating The Fallen

 Yesterday I attended the national service at the War Memorial downtown. I took a spot to the west of the Memorial beforehand. There were still some changes due to Covid, with less active service units in the parade, and a different configuration for the march-out parade. And many organizations and embassies had already placed wreaths at the Memorial.

Looking up the street, I took this shot of East Block on Parliament Hill. Screens set up in various places show the ceremony as it unfolds.

The march out went in a different manner than is usually the custom in which they come up this way.

Afterwards I went east along Wellington Street past the Memorial to bide some time before returning.

Coming back, the skies were clouding over and people were around the Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Here we have some of the wreaths.

When the Tomb was installed here, it started spontaneously and has become a tradition: the placing of poppies on the Tomb itself. 

Two of the official wreaths placed during the ceremony: one by the Governor-General.

And one by the Silver Cross Mother, Josee Simard, whose daughter Karine Blais was killed while on duty in Afghanistan.

One more view from the Memorial; a very moving service as always.

Just down the street lies Confederation Park, home to several military monuments. The National Aboriginal Veterans Monument pays tribute to the veterans of Indigenous peoples across the country. Wreaths are traditionally placed at its base before the main ceremony.