The 9th of August was the day chosen to honour the sacrifices of Peacekeepers because it was the day in which a United Nations Buffalo transport aircraft was shot down by a Syrian missile in 1974. With that act, Canada lost 9 Peacekeepers, the single greatest loss of Peacekeepers in Canadian history.
The ceremony doesn’t only commemorate the military members involved in peacekeeping missions but also the police forces that have been involved: the RCMP for 26 years and provincial police forces for 20 years. As well, the families are thanked for their support of their spouses when away in these distant lands exposed to danger.
The ceremony is held at the Reconciliation monument in Ottawa, across from the National Art Gallery, and was attended this year by politicians from each of the major parties along with representatives from other veterans groups. It was a warm day but everyone stood fast.
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