In Service At Home And Abroad

 Whether it has been directly in war or in peacekeeping operations, Canadians in the military have served around the world.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Canadian operations in the Americas is also featured, from peacekeeping to disaster relief to joint operations.

At home, helping fellow Canadians is most dramatically remembered in the military response to the Ice Storm that wrecked great havoc in eastern Canada in 1998.

We'll continue this series after the theme day tomorrow.

Canadians In The World

Continuing where I left off yesterday, more of these ice sculptures. 

I proceeded on. A Beavertails hut beckoned.

In recent years, an ice sculpture has been erected at the south end of the grounds of the National War Memorial, in collaboration with Veterans Canada. This year the theme is about Canadian Armed Forces around the world. A globe is lit up here, quite dramatic in the evening.

Nearby is a display series on Canadian military serving around the world. We'll pick up here tomorrow.

Creativity In The Ice

 More today from the ice sculptures on Sparks Street.

This one features Inuit drum dancing and the animals that are part of life in the Arctic- the polar bear, seals, narwhals, and belugas.

This particular large one has the animal that is our national emblem- the beaver.

I went around to the other side to photograph these from here.

We'll pick up here tomorrow.

The National Flag

 A series of historical photos were on display. This year marks the 60th anniversary of the raising of the Maple Leaf. On February 15th, 1965, the new national flag was raised on Parliament Hill. The date is Flag Day now.

The flag has spent time in space.

This is a maple leaf made of people, all in red gathered together on Canada Day for photographic posterity.

Terry Fox incorporated the flag into his shirts he wore during his Marathon of Hope.

This former bank looks dramatic in blue spotlights. Another ice sculpture stands in front of it, with the flag embedded in it.

It has the look of a fireplace, and the Ice Hogs were in front of it as I passed by.

This ice sculpture pays tribute to the distinctive Metis culture, a blend of Indigenous and French that became a people of their own accord, recognized as such.