The annual Candlelight and Tree Lighting Ceremony took place at Beechwood Cemetery on the 13th of December and was a well attended event despite the fact that we got rain instead of snow. The ceremony was short, with inspiration provided by three religious leaders and a choir but the tree lighting is, to me, the…
On Friday, the Gatineau Executive Airport was host to a General Dynamics presentation for their contender in the Fixed Wing Search and Rescue (FWSAR) replacement for the Canadian Armed Forces known as the C-27J Spartan. On hand to excite the crowd was a C-27J from the Peruvian Air Force, one of 13 air forces who…
On Sunday, 6th December, the National Military Cemetery, part of Beechwood Cemetery, hosted the 5th Annual Wreaths Across Canada, where 3400 wreaths were placed at the headstones of deceased military members. CDS Gen Jonathon Vance represented the military and representation was strong for the Cadet organizations and diplomatic corps with music provided by the Military…
Today, at the Hong Kong Memorial Wall, a small ceremony was held to remember the Canadian soldiers who defended Hong Kong in December, 1941, and were the first Canadian soldiers to see action in WWII. “C” Force consisted of 1975 soldiers, mostly from the Winnipeg Grendiers and the Royal Rifles of Canada, of which 290…
And welcome to another season of Lame Ducks Hockey! Wednesday saw the Lame Ducks (made up of Defence Liaison Officers from the various embassies in town) challenge the GOFOs (General Officers and Flag Officers from the Department of National Defence and led by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Jonathon Vance) in a spirited match…
Today was the annual “We Will Remember” concert hosted at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum showcasing the combined skills of the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Regimental Band of the Governor-General’s Foot Guards. It was a little shorter this year at about 70 minutes but the music and the singers…
The 2015 edition of the Candlelight Tribute for Veterans took place on the evening of the 4th November at a new location this year – the Canadian War Museum. It was a much more appropriate setting than has been the last few years where it was held at the Centrepointe Theatre. The ceremony evoked many…
On Saturday a hockey game, hosted by the Korean Embassy and played in the Canadian Tire Centre, pitted the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) against the Royal 22e Regiment (Vandoos) in a commemoration of hockey games played by Canadian troops on the frozen Imjin River in Korea during the Korean War. It also celebrated…
Sunday afternoon saw Parliament Hill host the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain ceremony repleat with veterans, vintage aircraft, and fly-pasts. In attendance was the Governor-General, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, the British High Commissioner to Canada and a host of other dignataries. Singing the Canadian national anthem was internationally renowned signer…
Sunday was a beautiful day for a run and so it was for Army Run 5 km and 1/2 marathon races to raise money for military charities. There were categories for male and female, injured and non-injured so lots of prizes to be handed out. All together about $400,000 was raised by 24,000 runners (14,000…