On The March

On Remembrance Day, I went down to the National War Memorial in advance to attend the national service. I tend to find a spot in the same area, around the northwest corner of Confederation Square.

The service is organized by the Royal Canadian Legion and the ministry of Veterans Affairs, and includes active duty units, most of whom march in from the south before the service, as well as the veterans, who are led in by the pipes and drums from the north side of the square. There are few World War Two veterans left to take part, but their numbers have been replaced by Canadian veterans of peacekeeping operations and standard military deployments, as well as those veterans of the Afghan War.

The service features a military MC, speaking in English and French. Standard elements include a 21 gun salute from field guns posted on Parliament Hill, a moment of silence, music, a flypast, and the placing of wreaths. Words are recited in English, French, and an indigenous language, and prayers and benedictions are given.

Afterwards, the Vice-Regal party moves to the north perimeter of the Memorial, where the march past leads the veterans and active service past them. As before, the pipes and drums lead the way, members of each branch of the services involved in this group.

The veterans follow.

Active service units include groups like the Governor General's Foot Guards.

And this was a surprise. A number of cadets from West Point in the United States marched as well, along with their Canadian counterparts from military academies here, such as the Royal Military College, which is based out of Kingston.

The West Point uniform is quite distinctive.