It is Remembrance Day, November 11, 2013. The day is overcast and with the significance
of this solemn holiday, it seems only right that the sun does not shine on us
today. There are personal memories for
some and stories for others but we all know how important it is to recognize
those who gave their lives for our county and to remember all who fought for
our freedom.
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| The Red poppy for Remembrance Day in Canada |
I had the idea that we should go out to the airport to get
some photos of the airplanes that would be doing a flypast for the Remembrance
Day ceremony at Riverside
Park
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| 419 Squadron take off from Fulton Field, Kamloops, BC |
The Hawk aircraft of 419 Squadron are from Cold Lake , Alberta Canada and is
considered world class. The fighter pilot
training for the Canadian forces is conducted there so we are seeing some of
the world’s finest pilots participate in our Remembrance Day ceremony.
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| The Hawk aircraft is airborne |
The engines roar and takeoff begins but that was over so
quickly that I barely had time to get the camera focused on the airplane! The good thing is that there were three Hawk
aircraft taking off and I would have another chance to get a photo of a jet as
it went overhead.
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| Leaving Fulton Field, Kamloops, BC |
The reality of getting a good overhead photo of an airplane
leaving the airstrip I am standing at as they fly over at an incredible speed, soon
appears to be a figment of my imagination.
I have a beautiful camera with a great lense but there is only so much
one should expect of the camera!
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| Making formation for Remembrance Day ceremony in Kamloops, BC |
The formation soon happens and I manage to get a photo with
them off in the distance before they’re out of sight. It is shortly before it
is time for their appearance at the ceremony and we can hear them but cannot
see them for awhile.
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| The flypast for Remembrance Day in Kamloops, BC |
A ‘flypast’ is a ceremonial flight by a single or a group of
aircraft and the flypast today will honor those who fought for the freedom of
our country. The sound and power is amazing when they fly low and that makes
for an emotional moment when it is part of the Remembrance Day ceremony.
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| 'Missing Man Formation' is performed |
The ‘missing man formation’ is often used in these
ceremonies. It can be displayed in
several different formations, depending on the number of aircraft or significance
of the event. It displays an empty place
in the formation and is a tribute showing love, respect and camaraderie for a
brother pilot, so very significant for our Remembrance Day ceremonies.
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| 419 Squadron returns to Fulton Field, Kamloops, BC |
We waited to watch the squadron return to Fulton Field before
we left. I may not have gotten that special overhead photo I hoped for but the purpose for the visit was to pay respect to those who fight for our country. From our vantage point, I
quietly thanked the pilots of the 419 Squadron for their participation in the
Remembrance Day ceremony in Kamloops
as well as all of the others who so bravely fought the wars that allow us to
live in a free country with all that we have.