Whenever Flames May Rage

The Canadian Firefighters Memorial is a national memorial to those firefighters who have died in the line of duty over the history of the country. Its presence at Lebreton Flats is entirely appropriate- the Great Fire of 1900 was brought to a halt in this area. It is designed by Douglas Coupland, and the landscape architecture company that made their own contributions planted trees and bushes that turn red in the fall, and are often the first to return in the wake of forest fires. This is the view looking at it from the street, near where I left off yesterday, with the bushes and rocks sloping upward.

A wall of names, designated by province and territories, honours the dead- both those who died directly during fire responses and those whose illnesses are attributed to the job.

Across from them is a large statue of a firefighter. Each September, a national service of remembrance is held here, and the names of newly lost firefighters are added to the wall.

It is a dignified, moving place, especially when you start looking at the names.

The firefighter's Prayer is inscribed at one entrance.

One last look at the place.