Remembrance Day is an important day in the history and calendar of Canada. This day is observed on every eleventh day of November annually in commemoration of those veterans that served during armed conflict, war and peace.
This day has its origins in the deep sense of loss felt after World War I that saw 60,000 Canadians lose their lives. Although the memorial monument for these veterans is at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Remembrance Day is celebrated across Canada with various activities such as ceremonies and parades.
Remembrance Day Ceremonies
The two remarkable Remembrance Day ceremonies that you must not miss are the National Ceremony and Canadian War Museum ceremony.
- The National Ceremony – This is usually held at the National War Memorial right at the corner of Wellington and Elgin. This ceremony commemorates the end of the First World War on November 11, 1918 at 11.00am.It is preceded by a parade of war veterans and pipers marching from Cartier Square Drill Hall to the War Memorial. Wreaths are laid by dignitaries, representatives from the armed forces and veterans. Although this ceremony is broadcast on several TV networks, you need to be there in person.
- Canadian War Museum – Here the Sun is let to shine through on window to frame Canada’s Unknown Soldier headstone at exactly 11 a.m. You need to note that free tickets are issued at the information desk for this event even though they are limited. Unfortunately, reservations are not allowed.Should you fail to get the tickets then you can catch the event on a webcast via the Museum’s webcast or a broadcast at the museum.
There are many other ceremonies that you can look out for from the calendar of events that is prepared annually ahead of the event.
Symbols of Remembrance Day
There are a number of symbols that are associated with Remembrance Day. They include the following:
The Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Campaign
This is conducted 2 weeks before the Remembrance Day and is aimed at raising funds to support the needy ex-service member, Canadian veterans, commonwealth veterans as well as their dependents. This campaign also serves as a reminder of the sacrifice made by the 117,000 Canadians that died in the Merchant Navy, Military and Ferry Command in the Korean War, the two World wars among other global theatres. About 18 million poppies are distributed annually.
Other symbols of Remembrance Day assemblies held in schools, wreaths laid at local war memorials, a reading of the fourth verse of the ode of Remembrance, two minutes of silence observed at 11.00 a.m.
When you attend Remembrance Day you will experience mixed emotions as you see artillery canons being fired as well as the presence of significant Canadian leaders such as the Prime Minister. In addition, just seeing the many military people in Ottawa makes it feel real and personal.
Ultimately, you can be sure to take away both mentally and photographic memories especially the monuments like the tomb of Unknown Soldier. In summary, there is so much to see and do on Remembrance Day in Ottawa even as you connect with history. You cannot afford to miss this historic event and related activities.
Post by Janice Brown, a avid travel blogger The Vacation Rentals Experts – an online and offline digital marketing strategy that creates marketing solutions for vacation rentals and holiday properties and brands. that creates marketing solutions for vacation rentals and holiday properties and brands.
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