November 11th is called Remembrance Day in Canada
and has been recognized since WW1. It was
first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth. Originally called Armistice Day, as it was to
commemorate the armistice agreement that ended WW1, it was celebrated on the
eleventh hour, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. It is observed around the world on this day but
most countries still call it Armistice Day.
The Americans celebrate Veteran’s Day on November 11th.
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| Kamloops Cenotaph |
We stopped by the Kamloops Cenotaph and poppies decorated the
monument and some wreaths were left. Cenotaph is a Greek word for “empty tomb” and
laying of wreaths is a traditional means of signalling high honours in Greece,
so the Remembrance Day follows with that tradition.
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| Large crowd gathers at Riverside Park |
As in most cities across the country, people gathered, at
Riverside Park in Kamloops, BC, to honour the veterans who fought in the wars of
yesterday as well as those who still do today.
2014 proved to be a special
occasion by the numbers of people who came to watch the ceremony today.
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| RCMP lead the way, Veterans follow the flags |
The parade made its’ way into the center of the crowd by way
of a temporary corridor set up and everyone in the crowd applauded as they
passed by. The RCMP in their red serge
march by to much applause and they are followed by more uniforms, the Rube
Band, the Pipe Band, and last but not
least were several veterans to end the march.
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| Remembrance Day in Riverside Park |
Uniforms joining those who had passed by our spot could be seen in the crowded field to honour fallen
soldiers including the Rocky Mountain Rangers and Cadets. Our national anthem was sung then the Last
Post was played on the bugle, a familiar yet rather sombre sound. This was followed with a two minute silence.
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| Fly over at 11:04am |
The Fly Past was done by two from the 419 Squadron out of
Cold Lake, Alberta then followed by “Reveille”, also played on the bugle. Prayers and blessings were given then
followed by placement of wreaths by various representatives of the government
plus many others. Everyone is welcome to
add their own wreath at this time.
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| Remembrance Day in Kamloops, BC |
In Flanders
fields the poppies blow
Between the
crosses, row on row,
That mark
our place; and in the sky
The larks,
still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard
amid the guns below.
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| Sombre moments during Remembrance Day |
We are the
dead. Short days ago
We lived,
felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and
were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders
fields.
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| Kamloops Pipe Band |
Take up our
quarrel with the foe:
To you from
failing hands we throw
The torch,
be yours to hold it high.
IF ye break
faith with us who die
We shall not
sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders
fields.
In Flanders Fields is a poem written by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae with a powerful
message.
There is more Remembrance Day from past years, click
here to see one and
here if you'd like to learn more about the 419 Squadron.
LEST WE FORGET
