Winterlude 2025 starts today, January 31st, or so you would think. In fact, the first part of Winterlude started at 1700 hours on the 30th when Veterans Affairs Canada unveiled their 2025 Ice Sculpture Installation entitled “CAF in the Americas”.
To see all the pictures, CLICK HERE
According to the media release, the sculpture serves to recognize the work of the CAF in our sphere of the world. It says,
“Since Confederation, more than 2.3 million Canadians have served to defend peace and freedom at home and around the world. In 2025, Veterans Affairs Canada will honour Canadian military efforts right here at home and throughout the Americas. Our Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members have always been there for us. From prairie floods to east coast storms and ocean rescues. The Halifax explosion to earthquakes in Haiti. Canada’s North to NORAD and Nicaragua. They have kept us safe, sovereign, and strong—and made sure Canada is a good neighbour. The ice sculpture and accompanying panel displays pay tribute to and share the stories of the brave Canadians who have served and continue to serve within the CAF, with a specific focus on those who have served in the Americas.”
The lighting of the ice sculpture took place under dark and cold conditions at the top of the esplanade of the National War Memorial with only a few hardy souls venturing out. There were remarks from Mr. Paul Ledwell, ADM Veterans Affairs Canada, Commodore Daniel Bouchard of the CAF, and Mr. Wayne Mac Culloch, President of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping. Veterans groups were also represented by CAVUNP, Canadian Peacekeepers Veterans Association (Don MacPhearson), ANAVETS (Julie Landry), and the RCMP Veterans Association. And let’s not forget that the Winterlude Ice Hogs were there to lend their spirit along with Heritage Canada reps.
The installation itself, a globe with the continents scribed on the surface, is more than the ice sculpture (which rotates between white and green lighting) as there are information panels detailing the stories of CAF members supporting Canadians in Canada (forest fires, flood relief, etc), helping out in the Americas, and missions further abroad. If you’re out and about for Winterlude, have a look. I’d recommend at night as you’ll enjoy the colours on the ice sculpture and the colours of the panels will be more vibrant.
