March

On Remembrance Day, I came up to attend the national services at the War Memorial. I tend to prefer an area at the northwest corner of Confederation Square, and arrived early enough to get a spot by the barricades. I took this shot beforehand. 

As the lead-in for the ceremonies began, three members of the armed forces from each branch, as well as a Mountie, took posts at the four corners of the Memorial.

The pipes and drums led the way.

Veterans marched in after them.

The ceremony includes a 21 gun salute, the last post, the piper's lament, other music, and the reciting of the poem For The Fallen, in three languages- English, French, and an indigenous language.

During the ceremony wreaths are placed around the Memorial.

And then the march out begins. As before, the pipes and drums lead the way.

Followed by the flags.

And then the veterans, to the applause of the crowd.

Active service branches march out as well- army, navy, air force, as well as a number of specific regimental units.

This also includes the Mounties.

After a walk, I returned to photograph the wreaths.

A tradition that began when the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was first installed- the placing of poppies on the tomb.

And one last shot from here.