On a crisp November morning, sunlight warmed the faces of tens of thousands of Canadians who gathered in Confederation Square to remember the men and women who have fallen for their country.
Not far from where Cpl. Nathan Cirillo fell three weeks ago, Gov. Gen. David Johnson rededicated the National War Memorial for the second time in the name of all who have died in the service of Canada.
No one will soon forget the attack on the capital. Heightened security was poignant in the square. All major roads surrounding the monument were blocked off and heavily patrolled. Watchful guns topped the roofs of nearby buildings and loudly accompanied the sides of roaming personnel in both caution and confidence: nothing bad will happen here today.
But while security froze in chilly memory, spectators warmed to the sight of a sea of uniforms. For one Canadian history high school teacher, who has attended the ceremony for twenty years running, it was a new and nostalgic experience. “Everyone’s a bit on edge this year, after what happened. But it still means the same thing. We all just have more to be grateful for,” said David Leduc from Montreal.
Cirillo was on every mind, in every heart.
Monica Brown and her fiancé Marc Gallant travelled to the nation’s capital from Halifax, Nova Scotia just for the ceremony today. She wanted to take the time and effort to “stop and pause and remember the amazing things.” For Brown, it was impressive to see the sheer numbers of veterans and their families, and to stand amongst them.
Allan Cohoon, an active member of the Canadian Army stationed here in Ottawa, doesn’t see Remembrance Day as a solemn one either.
Icy hands clapped and clapped for the veterans of Canada who have served in wars past, present and future. This year marks one century since the beginning of the First World War. First dedicated for the Great War in 1939, months before the start of the Second World War, the National War Memorial now represents all Canadians in every war that has and hasn’t happened.
Unofficial estimates range from 30,000 to 80,000 in attendance. People stood on the streets, climbed up stairs and onto ledges, and even watched from their office windows.
Johnson said Canada will continue to remember the sacrifices. “Today we stand as one, in silent tribute, not only to keep the vow made long ago but also to rededicate this symbol of that promise.”
Jenn Leah Ko 