Veterans Week always starts with a Remembrance Ceremony in the Senate Chambers on Parliament Hill but that venue is now under renovations for the next ten years so the ceremony was held in the new home of the Senate, the Senate Building of Canada (a.k.a. the Government Conference Centre, a.k.a. the Old Train Station). Now while the new layout of the Senate is similar to the old, the furnishings show a more modern sensibility with much cleaner lines, better lighting, and modern materials counterpointed with the desks and chairs from the old chamber. Gone are the war paintings that hung on the walls but what now catches the eye when entering the Chamber are the two Canadian flags made of wood in the far end alcoves. On first glance, they seem to be a monochromatic stylized paintings but, on closer examination, they are huge pieces of wood that were laser cut into fine lines by Carleton University students. The images don’t do justice to the precision and sharpness of the pieces so if you get the chance, go take a look.
The cast of characters at this event is like going to a high school reunion, albeit more somber in tone and with less drinking. Veterans from every organization seem to have made an appearance from the CAVUNP, the KVA, Aboriginal groups, the Royal Canadian Legion, the RCMP, and a host of smaller groups. Lots of handshaking and camaraderie as they all get ready for the many ceremonies of the upcoming week. The military was well represented with the CDS, the Commanders of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force, and associated staffs.
The ceremony started with the arrival of the official party: The Hon. Patricia Bovey (Senator), The Hon. Lawrence MacAuley (Minister of Veterans Affairs), MGen. Guy Chapdelaine (Chaplain-General of the Canadian Armed Forces), Richard Denis (Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments), Patrice Martin (Deputy Principal Clerk of the House of Commons), Mr. Greg Peters (Usher of the Black Rod), and Patrick McDonell (Sergeant at Arms). Once seated, the master of ceremonies, LCol Carl Gauthier, took the opportunity to point out that although we remember all of those who fought and those who died, there are special milestones to be remembered this year.
Specifically, he highlighted the 75th anniversary of the Canadian participation in the Italian Campaign (1943-1945) where over 93,000 Canadians fought some of the best soldiers the Germans had to offer and where 26,000 were wounded and 6,000 killed. He brought attention to the 2019 Veterans Week poster outside the chamber where a picture of 100 year old Lt. Maxine Bredt, wearing the uniform she was issued 75 years ago (and still fits), is superimposed on top of a picture of the PPCLI in Sicily, 1943. Maxine Bredt was a nursing sister (a commissioned officer, not a nun) in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps and provided aid and assistance to wounded soldiers during the Italian Campaign as well as being in a burn unit in England afterwards. She was, unfortunately, unable to be at the ceremony today.
The first speaker was Senator Bovey and she covered much of the same ground at the M.C. in thanking all those who served and serve as well as remembering those who died. She also called attention to the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings and to all the women in uniform and those women who aided the war effort at home by filling the positions in the war industries left vacant when the men went overseas. As well she mentioned all the sacrifices made by those who stayed home, unsure if their loved ones would ever return. Minister MacAuley followed, again, covering the same territory but also mentioning the five year anniversary of the end of Canadian participation in Afghanistan.
There was the Act of Remembrance followed by the Commitment to Remember, the Last Post, the two minutes of silence, the Rouse and the Lament prior to the laying of the wreath by Senator Bovey and Minister MacAuley in front of a miniature statue of “the Brooding Soldier”.
This pretty much concluded the ceremony and, after the final music (Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces), the official party left the Chamber and led everyone to the reception in the foyer.
to see all the images, CLICK HERE
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