When one sees a bunch of scruffy guys riding motorcycles, complete with vests and colours, one does not immediately think of Canadian Armed Forces veterans on their way to a remembrance ceremony. However, that was the truth of it on Sunday, June 7th, 2026, when diverse groups of motorcycle riders, complete with vests and club affiliation patches (not “colours”) arrived at the National Military Cemetery for the Veterans National Memorial Ceremony. The Veterans National Memorial Remembrance Ceremony is an event that brings together Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces motorcycle enthusiasts and supporters to remember and commemorate Canada’s Fallen Veterans. This event offers a unique opportunity for riders to share their pride in Canada’s Veterans and honour those who served their country.
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It had rained the day before and earlier in the day but the afternoon clung to the overcast skies while things had dried up for the ceremony. Riders were there as early as 1200 hrs even though the ceremony was slated to begin at 1300 hrs. Time was spent in comradeship and shared experiences.
The ceremony started with the land acknowledgement by Scott Ross from Pikwakanagan a First Nation Algonquin. Rather than traditional notes on the Indigenous rights of property, he regaled the audience in a story of Anabook when the earth was young and the Anishinaabe were learning to walk on this planet. It was hard. It was cold. It was winter and they were almost starving through the winter. But the maple tree gave the gift of nourishment. And from that point Scott proceeded to tell the story of how maple syrup came to be as it is and how Anabook forced the Anishinaabe to come together to work as a people. The story was perhaps not on point, but a change from tradition and interesting. He even got quite animated in his telling of the story, lifting his head up with open mouth to receive maple syrup.
Gabby Koch then provided the national anthem and was followed by Nick McCarthy of Beechwood Cemetery. He noted the sacrifices made by past and serving members, as well as their families, and made special note of D-Day, whose 82nd anniversary had passed on June 6th, the day before.
Trevor Luten and GG of Veterans UN-NATO Canada read the Act of Remembrance followed by cadet J. Thoren of 3018 33 Combat Engineer Regiment of the Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps who, in an act of grace, apologized for the cracking of his voice and which was responded to by a member of the crowd with “Welcome to adulthood”.
Padre Mike Perreault of the Cameron Highlanders of Canada led the moment of reflection, drawing on his experience as a chaplain at the National Military Cemetery for over ten years. He noted that riders are a unique community in that,
“When someone falls behind, you notice. When there’s trouble on the roadside, people stop. No one questions whether or not they should help. They simply do. There’s something deeply human in that kind of community.”
Gabby Koch finished up the ceremony with the Royal Anthem after which a rather large group picture was taken in front of the monument and then smaller groups followed suit. All in all, the ceremony was short, but no less meaningful to those in attendance.
NOTE: Let me apologize for any misspelled names as I didn’t have a reference sheet to pull from.
