SENATE 2022

By Richard Lawrence

To see all the pictures, go to the gallery at:

https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2022/senate2022/

Everyone is familiar with Remembrance Day and the National Remembrance Ceremony but fewer realize that the week leading up to the national ceremony is known as Veterans Week and is full of other remembrance ceremonies.  The first to start the week takes place in the Senate of Canada and this year that happened on Friday, the 4th November, 2022, at the Senate of Canada Building, formally the Ottawa central train station.

It was a mixed group invited to the ceremony with government officials and various veterans groups who mingled and remembered during the time prior to the start of this event.  Representatives came from the Royal Canadian Legion, the Korean War Veterans Association, Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and many other groups but shining out by herself was the diminutive Elsa Lessard.  Elsa had turned 100 years old this year and remembers fondly her time as a “listener”, listening to and transcribing secret German U-Boat transmissions and forwarding them on to Bletchley Park in England for code breaking.  Other guests also shared stories and some were just happy to be out and about to see everyone again after Covid restrictions.

The master of ceremonies, LCol. Carl Gauthier, stated in his opening remarks that the gathering this year is “… to reflect, to remember, and honour those who have served and sacrificed so much on our behalf.” and this theme would carry on with the addresses of the official party.  The official party this year was the Honourable George Furey (Speaker of the Senate), the Honourable Anthony Rota (MP and Speaker of the House of Commons), the Honourable Marc Gold (the Government Representative in the Senate), and Capt. (N) Bonita Mason (Deputy Chaplain General of the CAF).  Unfortunately, the CDS was unable to attend but his chair was admirably filled by the VCDS, LGen. Frances Allen.  Music was provided by the Lancaster Brass Quintet of the Central Band of the CAF and the Ottawa Children’s Choir.

Mr. Furey was first to speak and his remarks were short as were those of Mr. Rota who followed.  Mr. Gold, who spoke after an interlude by the Ottawa Children’s Choir, remarked that it was the 105th anniversary of the Passchendaele and Vimy Ridge battles, the 80th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid, 30 years since the UN Protection Force for Yugoslavia, and 25 years since the CAF participated in Operation Assistance by deploying 8,500 personnel to Manitoba to help during the 1997 “flood of the century”.  Capt.(N) Mason, during her prayer, remembered Queen Elizabeth II who refused to leave England during WWII and joined the military as soon as she was eligible.

After the Act of Remembrance and the Commitment to Remember, The Last Post, the Silence, the Rouse and the Lament, came the laying of the wreath by the Mr. Furey, Mr. Rota, and Mr. Gold.  The wreath was composed of a green wreath filled with “ …  white orchids symbolizing the gallantry of service and sacrifice of Canada’s military men and women, and a cluster of red roses, in the heart position, symbolizing the eternal respect and thanks of a grateful Canada” (taken from the official program).

The program soon came to a close, ending with the Royal Anthem and the official procession departing the chamber.  Everyone present was invited to a reception in the Senate Lobby where refreshments were provided and more visiting ensued, along with the inevitable stories and remembrances.

Kuwait Liberation Medal Awards

By Richard Lawrence

To see all the images from this ceremony, go to this link:
https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2022/kuwait/

An awards ceremony was held on the 4th October at the Canadian War Museum to present the Kuwait Liberation Medal to six Canadian Armed Forces veterans who served in that conflict 31 years ago. On hand to speak was the Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Canada, Her Excellency Reem Alkhaled, former Prime Minister the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, who was the Prime Minister of Canada during this period. Also on hand was Mr. Harold Davis, President of the Persian Gulf Veterans of Canada, Ms. Caroline Dromaguet, Interim President and CEO of the Canadian War Museum, with Dr. Birch of the War Museum acting as the master of ceremonies.

Dr. Birch opened the addresses and spoke of the contribution Canada made to this war and noted that it was the first conflict involving Canada since the Korean War. Canada contributed over 4,000 personnel involving the use of our aircraft and ships, with 2,700 being in theatre at one time at its peak. Operation Friction was the code name for the Canadian participation in Operation Desert Storm and involved the destroyers HMCS Terra Nova, HMCS Athabaskan, and the supply ship Protecteur along with CF-18s. Significantly, it was also the first time that Canadian female personnel served in a combat zone.

Mr. Davis started his address pointing out that recipients are not permitted to wear this medal with their other medals but that it must be worn on the right side. This is because Canada, the only country in the world, never viewed this conflict as war service but as a special operation. It was supported by the people, the government and seemed like an honourable endeavour, but the veterans are not granted the same benefits of veterans of other combat missions.

H.E. Alkhaled noted that she especially wanted to thank the veterans as the tanks of the Museum brought back memories for her as she was in Kuwait when it was occupied by Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi forces. She stated that she shared a “deep appreciation for Canada and Canadian veterans for your outstanding role in the liberation of the State of Kuwait”.

Mr. Mulroney followed the Ambassador and joked that “When I see a warm reception like this, one thought goes through my mind. Is it too late for a comeback?”. (I think he was joking!). He reviewed the lead-up to the war and he praised the troops who undertook the mission. He then shared some anecdotes about his efforts at that time with President George H.W. Bush (a.k.a. Bush Senior).

He spoke about the time that he was invited to the White House four days after the invasion had begun to discuss what to do. At that time, Bush provided Mulroney with the raw CIA data from Kuwait which he read and found troubling. President Bush then told Prime Minister Mulroney to take the data with him back to Canada, so P.M. Mulroney got unaltered data directly. Later, around Labour Day, President Bush suggested that he and P.M. Mulroney divide up the allies and contact them to ensure that everyone was on the same page when they met later at the United Nations. One of those on Canada’s list was the President of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak.

When P.M. Mulroney called President Mubarak he noted that Iraq had the fourth largest air force in the world and worried that Canada’s pilots would take unnecessary casualties. President Mubarak told the P.M. not to worry because, “Iraq has lousy pilots. I know, we trained them”.

P.M. Mulroney also mentioned the inequities caused to veterans by this conflict being designated a special operation and not war combat. He has written to the Minister of Defence, Anita Anand, and requested that the mission to Kuwait be reclassified to wartime service from special duties and take action to amend the Veterans Benefits Legislation. How that fares remains to be seen.

That concluded the addresses for the ceremony and set the stage for the presentation of medals. Recipients were Mr. Terry Toffoli, Mr. Sean Cassey, Mr. Ed Straw, Mr. Rick Corradini, Mr. Dwayne Sawyer, and Mr. John Beres. Other presentations followed the medals such as a Kuwait Liberation Medal presented to the Canadian War Museum for its collection, a Persian Gulf banner and plaque presented to H.E. Alkhaled by the Persian Gulf Veterans of Canada, and a coin and banner presented to P.M. Mulroney, also by the Persian Gulf Veterans of Canada.

This concluded the ceremony and people took the opportunity to mingle, take pictures with the Ambassador and former Prime Minister, and talk to and congratulate the recipients.

V-J Day and Hong Kong Veterans Remembrance

By Richard Lawrence

To see all the images from the ceremony, go to:

https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2022/hkvca2022/

On a beautiful sunny day on August 13th, 2022, a small group gathered at the Defence of Hong Kong Memorial Wall at King Edward Drive and Sussex Drive to commemorate the 77th anniversary of the end of fighting in the Far East during World War II and also to remember the brave Canadians, who, undertrained, understrength, and sent to a spot in the world that Winston Churchill had deemed undefendable, fought for 17 days against overwhelming odds before surrendering to the Japanese Imperial Army.  Of 1975 Canadians (known as “C” Force), 290 had been killed, some murdered by Japanese soldiers during or after the surrender. The rest would spend the remainder of the war, three years and 10 months, in captivity where another 260 would die from the cruelty and deprivation of the Japanese.  They would toil as slave labourers and suffer cruel and tortuous punishments. This is the 81st anniversary of the Battle of Hong Kong and is the legacy of Canada’s first combat in World War II.

The ceremony was mc’d by Mr. Brian Tang, ex-RCAF, who was born in Hong Kong.  His first introduction was of the MP for Ottawa Centre, Yasir Naqvi, who was speaking today and representing the Government of Canada. Mr. Naqvi reiterated the sacrifices of the Hong Kong veterans and then also remembered the Canadian contributions to the Burma and European campaigns (I’m sure the Italian campaign was in there someplace). 

At the completion of his remarks, the Last Post, the minute of silence, The Lament, and the Rouse were played by representatives of the RCMP Pipes and Drums and Marion Lajoie. After this, the cutest, smallest, little girl walked up to the microphone to say the Act of Remembrance in both languages.  I would bet she’s less than three feet tall but up she went and did the Act without fear, although she had to wait for someone to lower the microphone for her.

The prayer was given by Derrill Henderson who opened with acknowledging the three surviving members of “C” Force: Philip Dodderidge (100 years old), George MacDonell (100 years old), and Hormidas Fredette (either 105 or 107 years old – there is some controversy).  These men were not able to travel to the ceremony but sent regrets and greetings to the ceremony. 

Wreaths were then laid by the official party: Mr. Naqvi (Government of Canada), Mr. Robert Lӧken (Veterans Affairs), LCol Montgomery Price (Canadian Armed Forces), Ms. Mitzi Ross (Hong Kong Veterans Association), and Abigail Angel (Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association).  LCol. Price had a special day as he arrived on crutches and with a foot cast.  Notwithstanding, he ditched the crutches, slowly walked up and delivered his wreath, stood back and saluted, and did a crisp military right turn to march off the parade, albeit slowly.  He also had family at Hong Kong as his grandfather John and uncle Charles both fought at the action and survived the almost four years as prisoners of war,

As with any conflict, the governments mourn the losses publicly but it’s the families who feel the grief privately and have small stories, inconsequential to anyone else, but important non-the-less in the collective consciousness of who these people were.  Some of those stories follow.

Wreaths for family members were next on the program, led by Ms. Julie Carver whose great uncle, Robert Blanchard (Winnipeg Grenadiers), fought at Hong Kong and was killed on 23rd, December, 1941, aged 27 years. Robert Blanchard was Red River Métis and Anishinaabe (Sagkeeng First Nation) and his mother was unaware that he had been sent to Hong Kong until she received a letter sent while he was aboard ship and on his way.  It wasn’t until a year after he was killed that the death was confirmed to her and the exact date of his death wasn’t confirm until four years later. He currently rests in Sai Wan War Cemetery in Hong Kong.

Mr. Stan Lasenba travelled all the way from Smiths Falls to honour his family member Earl Lasenba (Royal Rifles of Canada - middle wall).  Mr. Lasenba is active in the Smiths Falls Legion. Also in attendance was Ms. Mavis Martin, widow of husband John who was captured at Hong Kong and survived the war as a POW.  She was accompanied by her granddaughter, Haley.  Mavis is the oldest widow in the region still able to attend the ceremony which she does every year.

What seemed to be a passerby turned out to be an Ottawa policeman who I thought might be doing some traffic/crowd control (not needed).  As it turns out, this officer had a family member killed at Hong Kong (also on 23rd December) and always makes a point to stop by this ceremony every year.

Special mention should also be made of “C” Force Members  who had wreaths layed on their behalf by family members: Leonard Corrigan and the Veterans in the Port Hope/Cobourg area, Frank and Ralph McGuire, Edwin Rodrigues, Lancelot Ross, John Martin, Stewart Henderson, Harold and Rupert Englehart, Edward Terry, Earl Lasenba, and Gander – a Newfoundland dog and the Force mascot who was killed in action and decorated.

This completed the ceremony and guests were invited to a luncheon at the Lord Elgin to share stories.

UN Day 2022

By Richard Lawrence

To see all the pictures from this event, go to:

https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2022/unday2022/

On August 9th, 1974, a United Nations Buffalo aircraft flying over Egypt was shot out of the sky by a Syrian missile.  On that plane were nine Canadian Armed Forces personnel involved in a peacekeeping mission who were killed on what was supposed to be a routine resupply mission to the presence in the Golan Heights.  To this day, it is still the largest single loss of Canadian lives since Canada began participating in UN Peacekeeping missions in 1948.  That is why the closest Sunday to the 9th August is selected as United Nations Peacekeepers Day every year with this year’s remembrance ceremony being held at the Reconciliation Monument, Ottawa, on Sunday the 6th of in what started to be the hottest day of the year.  Bright sun, high humidity, and people dressed in wool uniforms – what could go wrong?

This year, besides commemorating the fallen members of the CAF, RCMP, and other police forces and civilians, also celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Multi-National Force Observers in the Sinai Desert, the 30th anniversary of the dedication of the Reconciliation Monument, and the 30th anniversary of the initial deployment of U.N. troops to Sarajevo (UNPROFOR) which, at its peak, had 3200 Canadian troops and police involved.

The ceremony started this year by recognizing the Indigenous land on which the monument stands.  To that end an Indigenous drum circle performed three sets of drumming/singing looked over by the three U.N. members of the Reconciliation Monument and beneath the UN flag.

The reviewing officer for the UN Veterans, CAF members, and Police contingent members was LGen. Jennie Carignan, currently Chief Professional Conduct and Culture.  She quickly took the salute from the parade commander than then moved to review the troops on parade, stopping to talk to several of them about their service.

This ceremony does not place wreaths in front of the monument but instead places bouquets of flowers into repurposed cannon barrels set in a block and aimed skywards.  The first to do so were MP Mona Fortier, representing the Government of Canada, and LGen. Carignan.  The second bouquet was placed by LGen. Carignan, representing fallen CAF members, and RCMP A/Commr Chester Parsons, representing the RCMP and police forces.  The final bouquet was placed by Ms. Heather Church, her daughter Kayna, and LCol (ret’d) Nishka Jardine (Veterans Ombudsman) representing veterans families and the Canadian fallen.

Remarks were made by MP Mona Fortier, who praised the UN members and review some of its history.  LGen. Carignan followed with her remarks but decided to abbreviate them due to the heat and also asked the parade to “shake it out … move your feet” because they had been standing so long in the sun.  At this point, it had still been hot, sunny and humid but it was starting to cloud over. Still about ten minutes to go before parade dismissal.

After her remarks, she turned the parade back over to the parade commander and the official party left the parade.  As soon as they were off the square, the skies opened up and it turned into a torrential rain.  Although the parade was shortly dismissed, all members on parade and those guests in the audience were soaked.

Unusually for this ceremony, there was no lingering afterwards for pictures in front of the monument (again still pouring rain) and those who were invited retired to the Earl of Sussex Pub for the reception and everyone else ran for cars.

105th Anniversary Remembrance of Beaumont-Hamel

By Richard Lawrence

To see all the images from this ceremony, please go to:

https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2021/beaumonthamel105/

The 105th ceremony of remembrance for the Royal Newfoundland Regiment (RNR) and Battle of Beaumont-Hamel was held on July 1st, 2021, at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, on a somewhat overcast morning that threatened rain but eventually cleared up to a beautiful summer’s day.  All Covid-19 restrictions were observed.

The 1st of July is a day of remembrance first in Newfoundland and a day to celebrate Canada second.  In the First World War, the Dominion of Newfoundland supplied 8,707 men to the three Dominion services including the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, the Royal Newfoundland Naval Reserve, and the Newfoundland Forestry Corps.  As well 3,296 men volunteered for the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 21 were known to be in the Royal Flying Corp/Royal Air Force, and 175 women served overseas in nursing and aid stations.  In all, 36% of men of military age (19-35) went to war. 

Beaumont-Hamel is significant in that the men of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment (RNR) went “over the top” on this day in 1916 and 30 minutes later, only remnants remained.  They left from a support trench (St. John’s Trench) which was 200 metres behind the jump off point because the dead and wounded from previous waves clogged the way to the front.  After this, it was another 500 metres to the enemy through a no-man’s land criss-crossed with enemy machine gun fire.  “It was a magnificent display of trained and disciplined valour and its assault only failed of success because dead men can advance no further.” said LGen Sir Aylmer Gould Hunter-Weston.  

While figures vary, the RNR website lists:  Killed In Action – 14 officers and 219 other ranks, wounded – 12 officers and 374 other ranks and 91 missing.  Out of 721 who went out only 68 were able to answer the roll call the next morning (85% casualties).  Every officer who went into battle was either killed or wounded.  Some of the dead were killed trying to crawl back to their own lines from no-man’s land as they had been made to wear metal triangles on their backs, so command could monitor their forward progress.  As they crawled back, the sun reflected off the metal making them easy targets for enemy snipers and many were killed.  It would be two weeks before the people in Newfoundland heard of the disaster.

The ceremony was hosted by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Advisory Council and MC’d by Col (ret’d) Gregory Burt.  The official party to lay wreaths consisted of:

The Act of Remembrance was spoken by Mr. Bill Black and the Commitment to Remember was done by Mr. Austin Stein of Stittsville.  Mr. Stein is the great-grandson of Sgt. Joshua Robert Goodyear who managed to live through the battle and answer the roll call the next morning.  Of the five Goodyear brothers who served, three were killed in action and two survived. A sixth sibling, a sister, served as a nurse in a different battle area.  The oldest son, Roland (the seventh of the seven siblings), was denied enlistment so that the possibility of the entire family’s progeny being wiped out would be avoided.  Padré Gerald Peddle led the prayer and it was noted that he was the grandson of Pvt Stanley Budgell of the RNR.  Following the prayer, last post, silence, lament and rouse, the wreaths were laid. MGen Richard Goodyear, laying the wreath for the Canadian Armed Forces, is the senior Newfoundlander in the Forces.

To end the ceremony, the poem “Only One Tree” was read by Mr. Herb Davis whose great uncle Pvt Lester Barber was killed at Beaumont-Hamel.  Following the poem, Mr. Scott Richardson of the Atlantic Voices Choir sang “Ode to Newfoundland” and “O Canada” completing the ceremony.

While Newfoundland would not become part of Canada until 1949, as part of Canada now, it is important to remember the sacrifices made on behalf of the allies of this small part of the British Empire.

68th Anniversary of the Korean Armistice

To see all the pictures from the ceremony, go to:

https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2021/armistice68/

By Richard Lawrence

Sunday the 20th June, 2021, saw the observance of 68th Anniversary of the Korean Armistice at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.  The ceremony was hosted by the Republic of Korea which handles this event every year and, in non-Covid times, with much more pomp and ceremony.  The day was bright and sunny, warm but not too much so, and with a cooling breeze – so perfect.  Covid restrictions were in place so everyone had masks, distancing was observed in the seating, and only 10 people were part of the official ceremony.  There were a few non-participants who stopped by to view the ceremony but they were a good ways back from the proceedings.

Mr. Bill Black, acting as Master of Ceremonies, opened the event by having the official party assemble in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for the playing of the national anthems of Canada and Korea.  Following the anthems, Ms. Vandenbeld addressed the group recounting the start of the Korean War and Canada’s contribution to the conflict, including the 516 Canadian soldiers who died, ultimately resulting in a lasting bond between the two nations.  His Excellency Chang followed on thanking Canadians in general and the veterans specifically for their participation in keeping South Korea free.  Last to the podium was Senator Yonah Martin to thank the veterans for defending not their own homes but those of people they did not know in a land they had not heard of, answering the call for help in defending freedom and democracy.

After the Act of Remembrance, Last Post, and silence, it was time to lay the wreaths.  The official party led off with representations as follows: 

As well,  Mr. George Guertin and Mr. Gord Harrison laid a wreath for the Korean War Veterans Association (#7) and Mr. Bob Crane whose father served in the Korean War laid assisted Mr. Jewitt in placing the wreath for the Aboriginal Veterans.  The last part of ceremony involved participants approaching the wreaths and then taking their poppies and placing them onto the wreath in remembrance.

This concluded the ceremony and, in a normal year, everyone would have moved to the Chateau Laurier ballroom for a meal, comradeship, and further ceremonies.  However, Covid shut that part down but, undaunted, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea made sure everyone was nourished as they passed out bags of Korean food to participants to take home with them and to just say thank you in a more personal manner.

67th Anniversary of the Signing of the Korean Armistice

To see all the pictures, go to:

https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2020/armistice67/

On Sunday, 21st June, 2020, a remembrance ceremony was held at the Monument to the Canadian Fallen in Ottawa to remember the 516 Canadian military members who were killed during the Korean War and the celebrate the 67th Anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice which brought hostilities to a halt after three years of war.

The day was hot at 30 degrees but there was lots of shade by the monument to shelter the guests.  Because of Covid-19 restrictions the guest list was limited to ten people but many more showed up to pay respects.  For the most part, physical distancing was observed as was the wearing of masks but masks were removed during the ceremony as long as the physical distancing was kept.  Also, to maintain physical distancing, rather than have a wreath bearer take a wreath to the wreath layer and move forward with them, the wreaths were brought forward by the wreath bearer, placed on a stand, and then the wreath bearer took several steps to the side away from the wreath.  The wreath layer then came forward to take the wreath to lay at the foot of the monument.

Normally this ceremony would have been much larger and held in three parts: a small ceremony at this monument for local veterans and veterans from outside of Ottawa, a larger ceremony at the National War Memorial which would include the public and embassy legations, and then a reception hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea for the veterans, guests, and their families at the Chateau Laurier Hotel.  However, Covid-19 restrictions cancelled all of that leaving this smaller remembrance.  In all, seven wreaths were laid at the foot of the monument below the names of the 516 Canadians killed during the Korean War.  The wreaths were laid by:

Canada                 

Member of Parliament, Ms. Catherine McKenna

Republic of Korea

Chargé d’affaires Bum Soo Kwak

Senate of Canada

Senator Yonah Martin

Veterans Affairs

Deputy Minister Walt Natynczyk

Canadian Armed Forces

Commander of the Army, LGen. Wayne Eyre

Canada-Korea Society

President Mrs. Young-hae Lee

Korea Veterans Association

Korean War Veteran Claude Charland

As well, the Korean Veterans on parade were presented with a commemorative plaque of the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, and a gift, by Mr. Kwak on behalf of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea.  Following this presentation, there was the traditional group picture in front of the monument, albeit spread out a little more than normal and with many fewer people, after which the ceremony was closed.

69th Anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong

By Richard Lawrence

To see all the pictures, go to: https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2020/kapyong69/ 

Today was the 69th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong and a remembrance ceremony for the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry (PPCLI), and the other countries involved in the defence of this area, was held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on a bright, brisk April morning. 

Normally this ceremony would have been held at the Monument to the Canadian Fallen, a monument specifically created to commemorate the Korean War Veterans, but the National Capital Commission had denied access to any of the properties under their control (and on which this monument is placed) for any reason due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Undeterred, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the Korean Veterans Association (Unit 7) were determined that the sacrifices be remembered and, with physical distancing foremost in everyones’ minds, devised a ceremony that limited attendance to five in the official party with no other participants or guests, kept everyone at least 2 metres apart, and required the use of masks. 

The fighting took place during 22nd-25th April, 1951, along the Kapyong River during the Chinese Spring Offensive where the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade (including 2nd PPCLI) hastily prepared defences against overwhelming numbers of the Chinese Peoples Volunteer Army (CPVA).  The PPCLI were most heavily engaged on Hill 677 where the fighting was so fierce, that Capt. JGW Mills was forced to call for artillery fire on his own positions several times during the early morning of 25th April to keep from being overrun.  At the end, some estimate that the PPCLI killed up to 3,000 enemy CPVA and the loss of Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea, was prevented.  

The Canadian troops numbered about 700 and faced approximately 5,000 CPVA troops, and wound up with 10 killed and 23 wounded. This was a drawn out and complicated battle and cannot be covered in a blog but there were several other countries involved in this action and their contributions to this defence should not be diminished. The 2nd PPCLI was awarded the U.S. Presidential Unit Citation for their actions. 

The program was typical with a small history of the battle from Mr. Bill Black, the Act of Remembrance, the Last Post and Rouse, and the laying of wreaths. In attendance as the official party was the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea,  H.E. Maeng-ho Shin, Republic of Korea Defense Attaché Col. Keunsik Moon, President of the KVA Unit 7, Mr. Bill Black, Secretary of the KVA Unit 7, Mr. Claude Charland, and member of KVA Unit 7, Mr. Ron Bourgon. Of those, the Ambassador, Mr. Charland, and Mr. Bourgon laid wreaths on behalf of Korea, Canada, and the PPCLI, respectively.  

At the end, each member of the official party laid two poppies on the wreath to the PPCLI, one in remembrance of each of the 10 men killed in this battle.

Candlelight Tribute for Veterans

By Richard Lawrence

To see all the pictures, go to: https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2019/candle2019/

The Candlelight Tribute for Veterans ceremony is unique in all the remembrance ceremonies in that it literally highlights the “passing of the torch” of remembrance from the veterans to the youth of Canada.  It does this by providing the veterans at the ceremony with electronic candles which they take with them to their seats and then by having those veterans pass the candles to a group of youth selected from scout groups, cadets, Vimy Ridge Foundation, CHAMPs (CHild AMPutees), and other youth organizations as they pass down the aisles between the rows to lay the candles at the foot of wreaths that had just been layed by the official party.

On the 5th November, the Canadian War Museum hosted this year’s event on behalf of the City of Ottawa and started with the entry of the official party: the Mayor of Ottawa, Jim Watson, Deputy-Minister of Veterans Affairs, Walt Natynczyk, the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Jonathan Vance, and the acting-Director General of the Canadian War Museum, Ms. Caroline Dromaguet.  Almost immediately, the party laid four wreaths in remembrance of the war fallen and a fifth was added by four children representing the youth of Canada.  This was followed without pause by the dimming of the auditorium lights and the larger group of youths passing down between the veterans, gathering the candles, and laying them at the base of the wreaths.  Upon completion, the lights were raised and it was time for the addresses by the official party.

There were the usual speeches about remembering our fallen, and not to belittle those words or what they mean, they are not what make this ceremony special.  The second unique element of this Tribute is the unveiling of the individual who is having a street named after them.  Each year, the City, in concert with developers, name a street after a veteran and presents a street sign, with the person’s name and a stylized poppy, to the family.  This year, the street is named after Warrant Officer 2nd Class Bertram “Bud” Hannam, a D-Day veteran of the 23rd Field Ambulance who, unfortunately passed away on the 29th June, 2019.  On hand to accept the street sign was Bud’s wife, Rosy Hannam, and family.

Ms. Hannam took the opportunity to thank all those who made this honour possible.  She assured everyone that Bud would not have accepted this honour on his own behalf but that “the honour goes to all veterans , to all Canadian soldiers in all wars.”.  She spoke of the camaraderie of soldiers and the shared loss of innocence and friends but that Bud thought the price paid was worth it. Ultimately, she said, Bud was adamant that “… no-one should have this [war] happen to them.  … if you want to honour my legacy, then you must struggle for peace – fight for peace.”

Bud, as a Lance Corporal , landed in Normandy on June 6th, 1944, and served on the continent for the duration of the war serving until discharged in 1968 as a Warrant Officer 2nd Class.  Although having passed away, the audience was treated to a documentary of Bud Hannam made by Bruce Deachman, in concert with Library and Archives Canada, Veterans Affairs, and Rosy Hannam.  In it, Bud recounted his time on the beach during D-Day, on exiting the landing craft at the beach, and the story of two girls feeding cows in the field and its impact on him.

Bud witnessed a German fighter that was shot and coming down in flames and the pilot appeared to be stuck in the aircraft by a locked canopy.  He was clearly going to die in the crash when he spotted the two girls in the field moving their cows from one pasture to another.  He maneuvered his aircraft enough that he could machine gun the two girls and the cows before he hit the ground.  Bud, with the field ambulance, gathered one of the girls who had been hit through the chest and had an arm dangling and tried to administer plasma but the veins were so flat by this point the only thing he could do was try to address the chest wound.  Alas, it was too late and she died in his arms.  This scene haunted Bud for the rest of his life.

In 2010 Bud and Rosy Hannam were guests of honour at a ceremony in Basly, France, and the school that served as a casualty clearing station during the war was named after Bud.  It was after the ceremony that he was approached by Yvone Bazin, the sister of Emilienne, who died in Bud’s arms 66 years earlier.  Four months following this, Bud and Rosy were married in the Basly church where Emilienne is buried and on Sept. 7th, 2019, the town square, where both the church and the library are located, and where Bud served as a medic, was named Bud Hannam Square.  Bud Hannam died on June 29th, 2019, at 94 years of age.

What more needs to be said.

As a note of interest, the sign that was presented to the family was “Hannam Bud” and not “Bud Hannam” Street.  No one addressed this discrepancy during the ceremony but let’s hope it’s corrected before the sign goes up.

22nd Senate Ceremony of Remembrance

By Richard Lawrence

To see all the pictures, go to:

https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2019/senate22/

Veterans Week always starts with a Remembrance Ceremony in the Senate Chambers on Parliament Hill but that venue is now under renovations for the next ten years so the ceremony was held in the new home of the Senate, the Senate Building of Canada (a.k.a. the Government Conference Centre, a.k.a. the Old Train Station).  Now while the new layout of the Senate is similar to the old, the furnishings show a more modern sensibility with much cleaner lines, better lighting, and modern materials counterpointed with the desks and chairs from the old chamber.  Gone are the war paintings that hung on the walls but what now catches the eye when entering the Chamber are the two Canadian flags made of wood in the far end alcoves.  On first glance, they seem to be a monochromatic stylized paintings but, on closer examination, they are huge pieces of wood that were laser cut into fine lines by Carleton University students. The images don’t do justice to the precision and sharpness of the pieces so if you get the chance, go take a look.

The cast of characters at this event is like going to a high school reunion, albeit more somber in tone and with less drinking.  Veterans from every organization seem to have made an appearance from the CAVUNP, the KVA, Aboriginal groups, the Royal Canadian Legion, the RCMP, and a host of smaller groups.  Lots of handshaking and camaraderie as they all get ready for the many ceremonies of the upcoming week.  The military was well represented with the CDS, the Commanders of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force, and associated staffs.

The ceremony started with the arrival of the official party: The Hon. Patricia Bovey (Senator), The Hon. Lawrence MacAuley (Minister of Veterans Affairs), MGen. Guy Chapdelaine (Chaplain-General of the Canadian Armed Forces), Richard Denis (Clerk of the Senate and Clerk of the Parliaments), Patrice Martin (Deputy Principal Clerk of the House of Commons), Mr. Greg Peters (Usher of the Black Rod), and Patrick McDonell (Sergeant at Arms).  Once seated, the master of ceremonies, LCol Carl Gauthier, took the opportunity to point out that although we remember all of those who fought and those who died, there are special milestones to be remembered this year.

Specifically, he highlighted the 75th anniversary of the Canadian participation in the Italian Campaign (1943-1945) where over 93,000 Canadians fought some of the best soldiers the Germans had to offer and where 26,000 were wounded and 6,000 killed.  He brought attention to the 2019 Veterans Week poster outside the chamber where a picture of 100 year old Lt. Maxine Bredt, wearing the uniform she was issued 75 years ago (and still fits), is superimposed on top of a picture of the PPCLI in Sicily, 1943. Maxine Bredt was a nursing sister (a commissioned officer, not a nun) in the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps and provided aid and assistance to wounded soldiers during the Italian Campaign as well as being in a burn unit in England afterwards.  She was, unfortunately, unable to be at the ceremony today. 

The first speaker was Senator Bovey and she covered much of the same ground at the M.C. in thanking all those who served and serve as well as remembering those who died.  She also called attention to the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings and to all the women in uniform and those women who aided the war effort at home by filling the positions in the war industries left vacant when the men went overseas.  As well she mentioned all the sacrifices made by those who stayed home, unsure if their loved ones would ever return.  Minister MacAuley followed, again, covering the same territory but also mentioning the five year anniversary of the end of Canadian participation in Afghanistan.

There was the Act of Remembrance followed by the Commitment to Remember, the Last Post, the two minutes of silence, the Rouse and the Lament prior to the laying of the wreath by Senator Bovey and Minister MacAuley in front of a miniature statue of “the Brooding Soldier”.

This pretty much concluded the ceremony and, after the final music (Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces), the official party left the Chamber and led everyone to the reception in the foyer.

Imjin Hockey Classic 2019

By Richard Lawrence

To see all the images go to: https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2019/imjin2019/

Once again the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) and the Royal 22nd Regiment (R22eR) put on their hockey armour to do battle in remembrance of hockey games played between the two regiments on the Imjin River in Korea in 1952/3.  The Imjin Hockey Classic has been played annually since 2013 and is usually a pretty close contest, this year being no exception as the game went into overtime before declaring a victor.

The game started with the ceremonial puck drop with the official party of the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Maeng-ho Shin, Senator Yonah Martin, Commander of the Canadian Army, Lieutenant-General Wayne Eyre (originally PPCLI), and Korean Veterans Association (Chap. #7) member Bill Black.  Also on the red carpet was Mr. Claude Charland who played in the original game in 1952 in Korea.

When the game started, it looked like the PPCLI was going to dominate the game as they scored at about the 18:52 mark (all times approximate) and again at the 7:30 mark and were clearly in control.  However, the R22eR finally decided to show up an evened the score at 4:15 and just as the buzzer went to end the first period in a 2-2 tie.  Into the second period they continued their momentum at 12:15 and 2:30 while the PPCLI only managed to score at 0:29 ending the second period down 3-4. The momentum swung in the third period back to the PPCLI as they potted one at 12:25 to even things up but the R22eR was not undaunted and scored at 4:05 to again take the lead.  In the closing minutes of the third, the PPCLI tied the game again at 2:11 and that’s how the regulation game ended, neither team taking a chance on pulling the goalie for the final minute.

In the event of a tie, the teams play one five-minute overtime period and if tied after that, they go to a shoot-out.  Both teams came out fighting and the overtime period was fast with only three attackers on each side.  Back and forth it went, with pucks banging off the goalposts, and it looked like a shoot-out was inevitable when, with only 17 seconds left on the clock, the PPCLI got the winning goal.  It was a close fought match and the PPCLI were humble in their 6-5 victory and the R22eR gracious in defeat.

At the reception that followed, there was a small ceremony in which the Commander of the Canadian Army, LGen Eyre, was presented with a medal and citation for his contributions to security on the Korean Peninsula.  LGen Eyre was the first non-American to be Deputy Commander of the United Nations Command in South Korea prior to coming home as Commander Military Personnel Command and then on to Commander of the Canadian Army.  The “Order of National Security Merit – Guksun Medal” was awarded to LGen Eyre by Korean Lieutenant-General Choi, Byung-hyuk, Deputy Commander of South Korea-U.S. Combined Forces Command who had come all the way from Korea.

Further comments were provided by Ambassador Shin who noted that the hockey game was “most exciting and dynamic” and congratulated both teams on a well-played match. Senator Martin followed suit and also congratulated everyone and went over a brief history of meeting Claude Charland just prior to the first Imjin Hockey Classic in 2013.  LGen Eyre then took his turn and thanked Ambassador Shin and Senator Martin for their efforts in forging better Canada-Korea relations and then the veterans and LGen Choi.  When referring to why the tradition of the Imjin hockey game is important and the legacy that Canadians left in Korea he noted that this: 

“… speaks volumes about our legacy and what we want to remember … this is what success looks like [Korea today] … this is what right looks like.  This is the outcome that we want [when we go abroad]”. 

General Caron spoke on behalf of the R22eR and noted that this is the first time that the R22eR team members had played together and it was a testament to their abilities and drive that they performed so well and is indicative of the regiment itself.  The last speaker was Mr. Bill Black of the KVA who brought up all the Korean War veterans and took special note to introduce Mr. Joe Quinn who is 99 years old and still comes out to these events. KVA Chapter 7 used to have about 260 Korean veterans and is now down to 80 but he commended all those who still come out to events and to lay wreaths.  After three cheers in support of LGen Eyre and LGen Choi, everyone went back to the pizza, French fries, and chicken wings.

79th Battle of Britain Remembrance Ceremony

To see all the images, go to:

https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2019/bob79/

 By Richard Lawrence

The Battle of Britain was one of the fiercest battles of World War II and raged on for three months during the summer of 1940 with the Allies, in the end, defeating the Nazi Luftwaffe and stopping the invasion of the British Isles. On 15th Sept, 2019 behind the Canadian Air and Space Museum, the 79th anniversary of this battle was remembered and celebrated.  The day started out sunny but by the time the ceremony started, had clouded over and cooled to a comfortable temperature – the sun only returning for the final minutes of the march off at the end.

This ceremony has a couple of events that separate it from the normal remembrance ceremonies starting with the singing of the national anthem by internationally acclaimed singer and Honourary Colonel of the RCAF, Loreena McKennitt.  There were also flypasts of vintage aircraft from Vintage Wings of Canada who supplied a Spitfire Mk XI, a P-40 Kittyhawk, a P-51 Mustang, a Harvard, a Fleet Finch, and a Cornell.  Music was supplied by the Central Band of the Canadian Forces and the RCAF Pipes and Drums. 

Again, it was a lovely fall day, albeit overcast, and cool enough that the troops on parade weren’t adversely affected as they have been in past years by the heat.  As well, because of past year’s heat, the cadets on parade stayed only long enough to be inspected by the reviewing officer, Commander of the RCAF, LGen. Meinzinger, after which they were marched off, only to rejoin the parade again for the march off.  During the review, LGen. Meinzinger made sure to visit the veterans from 410 RCAF Association (William Barker, VC) Wing to shake hands and thank them for their service.

There were only two speakers for the event, the first being the Polish Defence Attaché, Capt.(N). Krzysztof Ksiazek who spoke of the friendships between Canada and the Polish forces forged in Britain during the war.  He noted that Poland was the first nation to stand against the Nazis and when Poland fell, the remaining Polish forces moved to the United Kingdom, including 8,000 airmen who created two bomber squadrons and two fighter squadrons ( No. 302 and No. 303) under RCAF command.  No. 303 (Polish) Sqn was the most successful unit in the Battle of Britain claiming 126 German fighters in 42 days despite joining half-way through the battle.  By 1941 there were 13 Polish squadrons in the RCAF claiming 745 German aircraft and 342 gallantry awards but giving up over 1,900 aircrew killed and over 1,300 wounded. 

He also spoke of Canadian Group Captain John Kent who served with No. 303 (Polish) Sqn and was also known by the Poles as “Johnny Kentowski”.  John Kent had an illustrious career highlighted by an action on 1st November, 1940 when he found himself alone against 40 Messerschmidt Bf-109s.  During the action he downed two Germans aircraft and got hits on another while managing to extricate himself and get home.  On 24th December, 1940, he was awarded the Silver Cross of the Polish Virtuti Militari for achievements while with No. 303 (Polish) Sqn.  By June ’41 he had moved up to Wing Leader of the Polish Wing in charge of four squadrons in Norholt.  Despite flying with the Polish squadrons, Kent always maintained his Canadian identity with his personal marking on his Spitfire – a maple leaf with the Polish eagle on top.

Capt. (N) Ksiazek also mentioned the Canadian participation in the Polish Uprising in 1944 when 26 Canadian aircrew lost their lives flying in supplies to the resistance that tried to take Warsaw prior to the Soviet forces arriving.  He noted that every year, there is a ceremony to commemorate the uprising in Confederation Park, Ottawa, where there is a monument to those men.  After thanking everyone for listening, he then turned over the podium to the Commander of the RCAF, LGen. Meinzinger.

LGen. Meinzinger first thanked those in attendance for taking the time to remember and the veterans in who came out.  In speaking of the Battle, he noted that 100 Canadian pilots flew in the Battle and that 23 were killed.  They flew with RCAF squadrons in Bomber, Coastal, and Fighter Commands (including No. 202 (Cdn) squadron), and were also represented by No. 1 RCAF Fighter squadron.  He also noted that the last living Canadian Battle of Britain pilot (Squadron Leader John Steward Hart) had died in June at the age of 102 years having flown Spitfires in No. 602 Sqn.

In closing, he recognized the importance of these events to, “… bear witness, that we do remember, we do learn, and we will continue to carry the torch for future generations.”

Following the March Off, everyone adjourned to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum for refreshments.

F-35 Arrives in Ottawa

By Richard Lawrence

For all photos go to:

https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2019/f35/index.html

One of the contenders for the Future Fighter Capability Project (FFCP) dropped into Ottawa Airport as Lockheed Martin had two F-35As from the F-35A Demonstration Team drop in for a quick media brief in advance of its attendance at the 2019 Aero Gatineau-Ottawa Airshow.  The aircraft did not do any high speed passes or any aerobatics but simply came in and landed, taxied in, and then had Capt. Andrew ‘Dojo” Olson, the F-35 Demonstration Team Commander/Pilot for the 2019 Airshow Season, come and talk to the media.  Capt. Olson flew the F-15E Strike Eagle prior to his duties on the F-35 where he flew missions in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan prior coming aboard the F-35 three years ago.

When asked about the F-35 he said that compared to the F-15E, the F-35 is  “… an entire generation leap forward in technology.”  It’s the combination of stealth and sensor fusion that makes the aircraft so advanced enabling the pilot to see everything and yet not be seen by anybody giving him/her complete control of the battlespace.  The aircraft is covered in sensors looking outward at all times presenting the accumulated data to the pilot allowing him to make decisions not just for himself but for the entire four plane formation.  It can then take the data from all four aircraft to create information fusion and that information can be sent out making the F-35 the quarterback of the battlespace.   When asked if he trusted his life to the aircraft he said, “If I had to go into a serious conflict, this airplane for sure would be more lethal and survivable …”

He noted that there are eight partner nations involved in the F-35 development (Canada being one) and several other countries who are purchasing the jets (foreign military sales) and that makes for a “… more effective fighting force when you’re flying with your friends and … you all have the same airplane and you all speak the same language – that’s F-35.”

Capt. Olson summed up his opinion of the aircraft when he said, “You’re just King Kong out there.  You’re just untouchable.”

Canadian Army Change of Command Parade

By Richard Lawrence

To see all the pictures, go to:

https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2019/army-coc/

The Canadian Army has a new commander and that is LGen. Wayne Eyre who officially took over the position on Tuesday, 20th August, 2019, at the Change of Command Parade held on Parliament Hill.  The event had all the usual pomp and ceremony one would expect from such a high level position and venue with the Ceremonial Guard on hand to be reviewed by CDS Jonathan Vance, outgoing Commander, LGen. Jean-Marc Lanthier, and the incoming Commander, LGen. Wayne Eyre.  There was a march past, speeches giving thanks to all, and the traditional presentation of the Commander’s Pennant to the outgoing Commander by his driver.  One change on this occasion is that in lieu of flowers presented to the wives, a donation was made to the Soldier On fund – not a bad change.  The day was warm and sunny, but not unbearably so, no-one collapsed on the field, and the event went off without a hitch.

This is the third Commander of the Army in the last 13 months, as LGen. Wynnyk held the position from 2016-2018 when he was replaced by LGen. Lanthier in July, 2018.  With the recent retirement of LGen. Wynnyk leaving the VCDS billet empty LGen. Lanthier has been moved up and LGen. Eyre has been tapped to take command of the Army.  LGen. Eyre has only been in his current position of Commander of Military Personnel Command for a couple of months so this move leaves that spot open which should be filled in a couple of days.  With any luck, all these moves will stick and provide some stability for the defence team.

LGen. Eyre comes to the job with a lot of qualifications. Born on a farm in Saskatchewan he joined the Army Cadets at age 12 and the army has been his home since.  A Royal Roads Military College and Royal Military College graduate, he started out with the PPCLI and has held command positions including 3rd Battalion PPCLI, 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, 3rd Canadian Division, Joint Task Force West, and Deputy Commanding General – Operations for the XVIII (U.S.) Airborne Corps.  Of outstanding note, he became the first non-American to serve as Deputy Commander of the United Nations Command in South Korea.  He has served operationally overseas in Cyprus, Croatia, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Korea, but also domestically in Manitoba (1997 floods), British Columbia (1998 forest fires), Ontario (2010 G8 Summit), Saskatchewan (2015 wildfires) and Alberta (Fort McMurray evacuation). 

Along the way he also managed to pick up some qualifications such as graduating the U.S. Army Special Forces Qualification Course, the U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, the U.S. Marine Corps School of Advanced Warfighting, and the U.S. Army War College. Academically he has a Bachelor of Science degree and three Masters Degrees in Military Studies, Operational Studies, and Strategic Studies.

LGen. Eyre was accompanied to the ceremony by his wife Jennifer and has two children, Alexander and Breanna.

Re-Dedication of the Afghanistan Memorial

By Richard Lawrence

To see all the pictures, go to:

https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2019/afghanmemorial/

Three months ago, the Canadian Armed Forces dedicated a memorial to those Canadian Forces members, civilians, and foreign combatants under Canadian command who died in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014 (the Fallen).  To be absolutely correct, the Kandahar Airfield Cenotaph was placed in a building within the new NDHQ (Carling Campus) called the Afghanistan Memorial Hall and it’s important to know that these two things are separate entities that are now combined within a secure perimeter which is not generally open to the public.  The original dedication was a closed affair to which family members of the Fallen were not invited and a great hue and cry erupted because it was felt that the family members had been disrespected.  With hindsight aplenty, the CAF agreed that it had misstepped and on 17th August, 2019, rededicated the Afghanistan Memorial Hall with as much pomp and circumstance as could be mustered and included almost 700 family members of the Fallen.

The Cenotaph began life in 2003 at Camp Julian (Kabul, Afghanistan) when Capt. Sean McDowell conceived an idea to create a memorial to the first six Canadians killed.  On Remembrance Day, 2003, it was unveiled at the camp and it included a two-tonne boulder from the site where the jeep was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) with two plaques attached (provided by Rod McLeod) and two marble plinths with an engraved inscription.  In November, 2005, Camp Julian was closed and the Cenotaph moved to Kandahar Airfield.

At Kandahar Airfield, the Cenotaph was redesigned to accommodate the growth of additional plaques.  The boulder was placed on a platform, and two wooden wings were added with the plinths replaced with marble walls containing the same inscription. In 2008 Canadian artist Sylvia Pecota donated a plaque of an angel caring for a wounded soldier which was placed on the boulder.  Over time, it continued to be added to with more wings and the addition of non-Canadians and civilians who lost their lives under Canadian command. After the last Remembrance Day in Kandahar (2011), the Cenotaph was painstakingly dismantled and returned to Canada where in May, 2014, it was put on display on Parliament Hill and then toured other Canadian cities and Washington, USA.  In May, 2019, with the Cenotaph installed in the Afghanistan Memorial Hall at NDHQ, a limited guest-list dedication was held which the CDS later viewed as an error in not making the event more public.  That led to this rededication of the Afghanistan Memorial Hall on 17th August, 2019, 

The day broke cloudy and humid and rain had fallen during the early morning but the forecast was that further rain would hold off until after noon.  Families, VIPs, guests, and military members strolled down the reflecting pond to the venue site and into their seats where, 30 minutes prior to the ceremony start, big LED screens on both sides of the Memorial Hall came to life with a slide show of the Fallen, accompanied with music from the Ceremonial Guard Band.  After the last of the Fallen was shown, the show continued calling attention to landmark moments in the Afghan campaign until it was time to start the ceremony with over 700 people in attendance – mostly family members of the Fallen.

The official party arrived with Governor-General, Julie Payette accompanied by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Jonathan Vance, and the Minister of National Defence, Harjit Sajjan.  The national anthems of Afghanistan, the United States of America, and Canada were played after which everyone was seated in anticipation of the first event of the program. To that end, Honourary Colonel Terry Kelly, singer/songwriter of “A Pittance of Time”, took to the podium where he sang “Portraits of Honour” to a crowd that was absolutely silent during the performance.  When finished, it was time for the remarks from the official party and representatives from Afghanistan and the USA with the Governor-General first to speak. 

H.E. Payette spent time speaking of seeing images of the Fallen being brought back from ramp ceremonies and down the Highway of Heroes, and of the people paying their respects along the highway, regardless of weather conditions.  She noted the sacrifices of the families, during deployment and during loss and recognized the struggles of those coming home, some with injuries seen and not seen.  Minister Sajjan amplified her remarks and recognized that the memorial is, “… a tangible reminder of your loved one’s service and sacrifice.”   

The First Secretary of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Mr. Fahim Ebrat, thanked all the families for their sacrifices and remarked that the sacrifices had not been in vain as the people of Afghanistan now have access to education, healthcare, and other public services and “… women and girls have a restoration of rights and have political representation in the provincial consult and national parliament.”.  All this made possible by Canadian and U.S. forces. In concluding he said, “… their legacy is also indelibly etched in the living hearts of my people and is now forever part of our history.”

Mr. Richard Mills Jr., Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy (Ottawa), reflected on the time of 9/11 and of the Canadians welcoming everyone caught in the air when the U.S. closed its airspace. He spoke of the partnerships between Canada and the U.S.  and then looked to the future of Afghanistan saying, “The United States will move forward seeking an honourable and enduring outcome to the war in Afghanistan that will be worthy of the tremendous sacrifices that the U.S. and Canadian Armed Forces have made.  … [to] ensure security for the Afghan people and their right to choose their country’s future.” 

The last speaker was General Jonathan Vance, who twice commanded the forces in Afghanistan and has firsthand knowledge of events and the Cenotaph in theatre.  He spoke of moments of reflection at the Cenotaph and when on his second tour, he purposely stopped in to remember Corporal Nick Bulger, who was the 121st Canadian killed when his jeep hit an IED in July, 2009.  General Vance was in that same convoy where along with the death of Cpl Bulger, five others were injured.  At this moment, General Vance had to stop and take a moment and when he started speaking again, it was obvious that emotion had overtaken him as his voice quivered a bit before completely regaining his composure.  In fact, there were a couple of occasions where the General just took a pause, showing that these remembrances had a strong effect on him.  On closing, he regretted the limitations of the first dedication and recognized the need to have the families involved.  “Today it’s about you, the families.  You are and always will be beloved to us in uniform.”

With remarks completed, the rededication took place inside the Memorial Hall followed by the Last Post, two minutes of silence, a flypast, finishing with the Lament and Reveille.  Wreaths were then laid against the wall of the Memorial Hall followed by the “Send Off” by Major-General Guy Chapdelaine, Chaplain General.  The Governor General was then taken into the Memorial Hall by General Vance where they looked at the plaques and memorial books and were then followed in by the families.  And, as if God was looking down and saw the ceremony completed, the skies opened up and the rain started to fall as people moved to the reception area. 

Some of the families then took the opportunity to speak with the media, although not many. Media had been asked to respect the solemnness of the occasion and not take images of the families in the Memorial Hall but once it cleared, a couple allowed themselves to be followed.

The final occasion of the day was when Lieutenant-General Jean-Marc Lanthier, Commander of the Canadian Army (until the 20th August) and Vice-Chief of Defence Staff, spoke to the media and took questions.  He had served twice in Afghanistan, where in 2009 he lost ten members in the first eight weeks. He was asked why the Memorial Hall is in this publically inaccessible area, to which he responded, 

“… the fact that here you’ve got the senior leadership of the Canadian Armed Forces, you’ve got almost ten thousand people that work on the campus and daily we’re reminded of the graveness of our decisions as senior leaders and members of the defence team.  This is why this is here …”. 

He also noted that the Kandahar Airfield Cenotaph, as originally conceived, was never meant to be a national monument.  “It is … a monument for the soldier and they’re now resting amongst their own.  That’s important for us.” 

Before leaving, he took the opportunity to remind everyone that there will be a national monument to the Afghanistan War placed across from the Canadian War Museum in the future and if anyone wants to see the Afghanistan Memorial Hall, all they have to do is make an appointment via the Afghanistan Memorial Hall web page, email, or call, and accommodations will be made and escorts provided. 

https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/services/bases-support-units/canadian-forces-support-unit-ottawa/afghanistan-memorial.html

UN Peacekeepers Day

By Richard Lawrence

To see all the pictures, go to: https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2019/unday2019/

On the 9th August, 1974, a United Nations Buffalo aircraft flying over Egypt was shot out of the sky by a Syrian missile.  On that plane were nine Canadian Armed Forces personnel involved in a peace mission who were killed on what was supposed to be a routine resupply mission to the presence in the Golan Heights.  To this day, it is still the largest single loss of Canadian lives since Canada began participating in UN Peacekeeping missions in 1948.  That is why the closest Sunday to the 9th August is selected as United Nations Peacekeepers Day every year with this year’s remembrance ceremony being held at the Reconciliation Monument, Ottawa, on Sunday the 11th. 

This year’s ceremony saw participation by 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron from Petawawa, just back from a peacekeeping mission in Mali, UN Peacekeeping veterans, and police representatives from the RCMP, OPP, Ottawa, and Toronto police forces.  The Official Party consisted of MGen. (ret’d) Clive Addy, MP (Ottawa-West – Nepean) Anita Vandenbeld, Commodore Rebecca Patterson (Director General Professional Military Conduct – Operation Honour), RCMP Superintendent Kevin Lamontagne, and Ms. Deborah Mac Culloch representing veterans and families. Music was supplied by the Governor General’s Foot Guard Band with piping from Mr. Eric Booth. 

The event started with the Master of Ceremonies, Ms. Suzanne Serrault, outlining several anniversaries to be commemorated at the day’s ceremony.  Specifically that this year is the 25th anniversary of Canada providing humanitarian relief to Rwandan refugees where over 400 Canadians served.  It was also the 20th anniversary of the UN Assistance Mission to East Timor and the 20th anniversary of the start of the UN mission in Kosovo in which almost 2,000 Canadians served, along with RCMP investigators, in three different operations to assist in the safe return of over one million refugees/internally displaced persons.  Lastly she noted the 30th anniversary of RCMP participation in “Peace and Civilization Operations” in which almost 4,000 police and worked in 33 countries.  Now, one can argue the success/failure of any or all UN operations and the politics involved, but this is not the day to do that.  It is the day to remember all those who served and continue to serve, under bad to horrific conditions, and especially those that did not return.

Mr. Wayne Mac Culloch, representing the President of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping (CAVUNP), was the first speaker of the morning where he reiterated why this date was chosen for remembrance and to thank not only the peacekeepers but their families who must endure long periods of absence with their spouses in harm’s way but who continue to support the member and the missions.  He was followed by the playing of the Last Post, a minutes silence, the Rouse and the Lament.  The Act of Remembrance was recited by Paul Greensides, Ray Paquette and Aurel Dubé and was followed by the Commitment to Remember by Cadet Sgt. Jeffery Lariviére and Cadet WO2 Madison Préfontaine.

For this ceremony, there is no laying of wreaths but instead three bouquets of flowers are placed into the barrels of three cannons, effectively turning the weapons into flower pots.  Ms. Vandenbeld, along with MGen. Addy, placed the flowers on behalf of the Government of Canada while Commodore Patterson, Superintendent Lamontagne, and CWO Guimond placed the flowers for the military and police organizations.  The last bouquet was placed by Mr. and Ms. Mac Culloch, representing the veterans and families. 

It was then Ms. Vandenbeld’s turn to address the assembly where she noted that 125,000 Canadians have served in UN peace support and that 123 have died in that service while “… putting yourselves in harm’s way to protect the world’s most vulnerable.”.  MGen. Addy followed with anecdotes of his terms as a peacekeeper where he “… saw how vile people can be to each other when on-one is looking at them” and noting some of the idiotic things that have happened to him, both at the command level and in the field.  He admitted that he didn’t always know what he was doing or what was going on but “… that he knew he was doing good.”.   

This pretty much ended the ceremony and the parade was dismissed but I think Ms. Vandenbeld put it best when she said, “Peacekeeping.  It’s what our country does.  It’s what we stand for.  It’s what other countries think of when they see our red maple leaf.” 

75th Anniversary of the 1944 Polish Uprising

By Richard Lawrence

To see all the pictures, go to: https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2019/poland75/ 

On 1st August, 1944, the Polish resistance, along with the Polish Home Army (PHA), started what is known as the Warsaw Uprising (1944) to force the German Army out of Warsaw, Poland.  All that summer, the forces of the Soviet Union had been pushing westward and by end July were poised on the outskirts of Warsaw to clear them out.  The Germans were retreating and the Soviets were advancing and the time was ripe for the Polish people to make their contribution to the Allies in winning the war.  At 1700 hours largest act of resistance in the war began.

Now, some things should be put in context.  The first objective of the resistance/PHA was to expel the Germans from the city.  However, there was a second, political objective of installing a legitimate Polish government in power before the Soviet-backed Polish Committee of National Liberation could assume power and that is why it was important to launch the uprising prior to the Soviets actually getting into the city.  On the Soviet side, Stalin knew that he would have great troubles controlling the country after it was liberated so it was in his interests to see as much of the resistance/PHA destroyed before sending the Germans home.  Stalin said of the resistance that they were “…a handful of criminals” and “… enemies of the Soviet Union” and used this as justification for his inaction following the start of the Uprising.  While biding his time, he also decided that it was more advantages to occupy Eastern Europe than to thrust into Germany, so he left the Poles to fight and die. 

In effect, the Uprising started and the Poles, with little ammunition, food, or other supplies, were forcing the Germans back while capturing strategic infrastructure.  Then, they waited for assistance from the Soviets but none was forthcoming.  Soviet tanks were withdrawn, no supplies were offered, no air cover was provided, and radio pleas were ignored.  The Germans, in the meantime, managed to re-supply and reinforce and came back into the city with a vengeance, as destroying Warsaw had been one of Hitler’s objectives before the war and Himmler now saw the opportunity.  The fighting was brutal hand-to-hand, building-to-building, with the Poles losing irreplaceable soldiers and running out of food and ammunition while the Germans continued to reinforce.  Still nothing from the Soviets.

Churchill saw what was happening and pleaded with Stalin to allow the Allies to airlift in supplies but Stalin declined to allow the Allies access to airfields in Soviet held territory.  Churchill, undeterred, ordered the RAF to airlift supplies from bases in the UK and Italy and 223 low-level supply lifts were carried out during which the RAF lost 34 aircraft (the Warsaw Airlift).  From bases in Italy, the RAF left at night and flew over 1300 kilometers, to Poland where they had to do their drops during daylight and then fly home over German occupied territories, all without fighter escort.  The Germans knew they were coming and had fighters and AAA batteries lined up all the way.  There was also a night-fighter school along the incoming route that provided no end of problems.  In the end, the limited amount of supplies that got through, and the Soviet intransigence, spelled the end of the Uprising and a capitulation was signed on 2nd October, 1944. 

The Polish losses during the Uprising were large, in part because at the start the Germans decided not to take prisoners but to shoot anyone captured (until an agreement was reached to treat the Poles as combatants).  About 25% of the city was destroyed during the uprising with estimates of up to 16,000 resistance/PHA killed, 6,000 wounded, and 15,000 prisoners of war.  After the capitulation, the entire civilian population was expelled from the city with an estimated 90,000 sent to labour camps, 60,000 sent to death/concentration camps, and the rest relocated.  Once emptied, the Germans destroyed another 35% of the city which, with previous damage during the war, left Warsaw approximately 85% destroyed. 

Once Poland became independent again (1989), all of the lost Canadian airmen were located, except for one aircraft – a Halifax bomber.  In 2002 information led to its location near Tarnow, Poland, where it had been shot down on its way back to southern Italy after delivering its load of ammunition and arms.  It was crewed by four Canadians and two British airmen.

In Confederation Park, Ottawa, there is a large plaque, erected in 1964 by the Polish Home Army Ex-Servicemen's Association of Canada, dedicated to the memory of 26 Canadian airmen who flew with the Polish Home Army while flying support missions during World War II, including the Uprising. In 1993, when the airmen were posthumously awarded the Polish Home Army Cross, a bronze replica and a small plaque with inscription were added.  All this is preamble to the remembrance ceremony that was held on 1st August, 2019, in Confederation Park in front of this plaque, to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising. 

Attending was the Polish Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, H.E. Andrzej Kurnicki, his Defence Liaison Capt(N) Krzysztof Ksiazek, representatives from the Polish Boy Scouts and the Girl Guides, the Polish Combatants Association (Chapter 8-Ottawa), and most importantly, Ms. Ewa Konopacki.  Ms. Konopacki, a small, slight woman, fought with the Polish Home Army during the Uprising and is the recipient of Poland’s highest military decoration (Virtuti Militari) for “… heroism and courage in the face of the enemy at war” and may be the oldest surviving member of the conflict. The Ambassador, Ms. Konopacki, and Veterans Affairs laid wreaths in commemoration of both those lost in the Uprising and those Canadian airmen who risked so much to aid the Poles.   

CF Appreciation Night - Ottawa RedBlacks vs Calgary Stampeders

By Richard Lawrence

To see all the pictures, go to: https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2019/cfappreciate/

The Calgary Stampeders were in town last night (25th July) to do battle against Ottawa’s RedBlacks in a Thursday night CFL contest, but more importantly, it was also the annual Canadian Forces Appreciation night which highlights the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces.  It was a beautiful night, clear with only a few clouds, warm, but not unbearably so, with only light humidity.  The field of combat was set. 

As per normal, it started with the teams coming out and doing a few warmups and some stretching which got both the players and the crowd warmed up.  The RedBlacks’ Cheer and Dance Team took the field next and was warmly received for their opening routines. Make no mistake, this is not just a group of pretty girls (and guys) but hard core athletes in their own right who take to the skies in a number of gymnastic routines which, if they go wrong, can cause serious injury.  And finally, it was time to bring on the military, and this is where it was a bit of a letdown.

The Royal Canadian Dragoons were represented by a three man colour party that marched about 15 yards onto the field, counter-marched, and stopped facing the south stands.  With them came a member of the Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces (CBCAF), WO Grenon, to sing the national anthem.  That’s it!  In my mind, there should have been a larger colour party, perhaps with sentries and other flags, and they should have marched all the way across the field, counter-marched, and stopped on center-field where they could have had part of a larger colour party facing both the north and south stands.  Perhaps a circle of sentries facing outwards with the colours in the center would have had more impact.  At that point, the singer could have come out with a contingent of the CBCAF who would have accompanied WO Grenon rather than having him sing to recorded music. 

And nothing says military power like a fly-by of two (I say again two) CH-146 Griffon helicopters, widely spaced and 1,000 feet up.  Woo woo. I understand that maybe it’s tough to always get a couple of CF-18s and local residents get upset by the noise, but they make a statement.  If I was using helicopters, then I’d like to have seen a tight formation of at least one Chinook with two Griffons in trail, have the Griffons peel off as they start over the field, and then have the Chinook let go with the anti-missile flares, all from a level of 500 feet.  That would get an ooh ahhh from the crowd.

At last it was time for the coin toss and the military’s representatives were the newly minted Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy, Vice-Admiral Art McDonald, and the Command Chief of the Royal Canadian Navy, CPO1 Dave Steeves. Both men waited patiently on the sidelines, talking to whomever was around them and were very friendly and I think excited to be representing the military at the game.  Out they went with the referees and players to center field where the VAdm tossed the coin which Calgary called correctly.  Once congratulations and good lucks were given to all, the coin party retired to the sidelines, with VAdm. McDonald joking with the referees all the way in.

The game started on time but it seemed that both teams had trouble getting going.  There were turnovers right from the outset as well as a higher than normal number of penalties.  In fact, it seemed that turnovers and penalties moved the ball more than the teams did.  The first quarter ended in a 6-6 tie with all scoring done by field goals. The second quarter was not much better and they went into half-time tied at 9-9.  There were some good runs and some good individual efforts, especially one by Ottawa #17, DeVonte Dedmon, who was tackled but kept his knees off the ground, balancing himself on his free arm while he regained his balance and took off again for a substantial gain. 

When half-time started, I waited for the Canadian Forces part of the programme but there was none.  In the past, there have been events where they would make teams of military members from both the north and south stands and then pit them against each other for the glory of their own side.  That way the civilians got to see the military in a very unmilitary setting.  This year, the only thing was the introduction of the aircrew from the fly-by who were from 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron in Valcartier, Quebec.  That was it.

The third quarter turned out to be much the same as the first two with Calgary scoring another field goal to end the quarter at 12-9.  But finally in the fourth quarter, things turned around and Ottawa marched down the field to score a touchdown (Brad Sinopoli) at about the 13:23 mark to take the lead at 16-12.  Ottawa conceded a safety near the end of the game bring the score to 16-14 for Ottawa and there was more excitement as Calgary looked but missed to score a touchdown and they also missed a field goal.  However, as time was expiring, another field goal by Calgary ended it for Ottawa giving Calgary the 17-16 win.

103rd Nijmegen March Departure Parade

For more photos: https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2019/nijmegen103/

By Richard Lawrence

On the 9th July, 2019, the Canadian contingent for the 2019 Nijmegen March held their departure parade at the Canadian War Museum. This is the 103rd Nijmegen March, in which Canada has participated since 1952 (67 years), where participants march in teams for a distance of 160 km over four days carrying a ruck sack of at least 10 kilograms. It covers much of the area liberated by the Allies, and more specifically Canada who lost 7,600 dead here, during WWII. Overall there will be more than 47,000 marchers from over 50 countries covering 70+ nationalities. This is the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands and the 22nd year that the departure parade has been held at the Canadian War Museum. The Canadian team of 175 members in 14 teams of 11 will also pay respects by visiting Canadian war cemeteries at Groesbeek, Bergen-op-Zoom, and Vimy Ridge.

Speakers at this year’s parade included LGen. Lanthier, Commander of the Canadian Army, Ms. Frederieke Quispel, Deputy Head of Mission for the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr. Tom Irvine, President of the Royal Canadian Legion, and Dr. Peter MacLeod, Director of Research at the Canadian War Museum.  After the opening of the ceremony and inspection of the members present of the contingent, LGen Lanthier spoke of the honour of participating in this event and challenged all to “reflect on the great legacy that you now carry as members of this contingent.” 

Ms. Quispel, a historian, briefly covered the history of the area the marchers would see, noting that the first march in 1909 had 306 members (10 civilian, remainder military) but it wasn’t until 1925 that Nijmegen was chosen as the start/finish point for the march.  Nijmegen is possibly the oldest city in the Netherlands having officially obtained its Roman city rights in 100 A.D.  The area is also the scene of Operation Market Garden in September, 1944, when the Allies tried to secure the bridges over the Maas, Waal, and Rhine rivers, and almost succeeded. In recognition of this, on the last day of the march, military engineers will build a special pontoon bridge to take the participants over to the opposite side of the Maas, the home of the Black Watch during the winter of 1944/45. 

LCol Quirion, speaking as the contingent commander, noted that there were some anniversaries that made this year’s march special.  For example, the 30th Field Regiment of the RCA is celebrating 164 years in existence, The Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers are celebrating 75 years, and a combined team of 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment and 2nd Service Battalion celebrating their organizations’ parts in the NW Europe campaign.  He also noted that there were nine VIPs on this year’s team including representatives from the Dutch Embassy (Paula Martin),  two female RCMP officers (the first female officers to participate), Veterans Affairs, the Commissionaires, the Royal Canadian Legion, and three CAV members representing Soldier On. Lastly he announced that the fund raising effort of this year’s team has raised $26,000 for the Soldier On and Families First funds 

When Mr. Tom Irvine took the podium, he stopped to identify Mr. Lee Harrison, a participant representing the Royal Canadian Legion this year.  Mr. Harrison is a firefighter from Peterborough, a member of RCL Branch 52, and veteran of Bosnia and Afghanistan. 

He also mentioned that Canada has a historical connection to the Dutch royal family in that the Royal Family found sanctuary in Canada after the Nazis invaded the Netherlands.  A royal daughter, Princess Margriet was born in Ottawa, which is well known, but Mr. Irvine also noted that Princess Margriet’s son, Prince Floris, is the god-son of the Royal Canadian Legion and its honorary Vice-President.

Following the last of the speeches, wreaths were presented to LCol Quirion to be laid in the Canadian War Cemeteries in the Netherlands.  Ms. Quispel provided a wreath to be laid at Groesbeek Cemetery on behalf of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr. Irvine provided a wreath to be laid at Groesbeek on behalf of the Royal Canadian Legion, and the last was provided by Dr. MacLeod and Mr. Hamilton to be laid at Vimy Ridge on behalf of the Canadian War Museum and Friends of the Canadian War Museum.

This ended the parade and the official party departed, followed by the contingent as they were dismissed and marched off.  But everyone soon reappeared to enjoy some time together as a luncheon was provided for the contingent, attendees, friends and family.

Highland Warriors Exhibit Opening

By Richard Lawrence

To see all the pictures, go to: https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/clients/cwm/highlander/

No-one can doubt the contributions made by the Scottish settlers who came to Canada when the country was just starting out.  One only has to look at the place names around the area such as Perth, Tay River, and others to see the foothold that Scottish culture has in Canada.  At every remembrance ceremony, there is a piper playing The Lament and who hasn’t seen a head table piped into a dinner.  And it is an interesting fact that the Canadian Armed Forces has more Highland Regiments than Britain.  This is the point of the new exhibit that has opened at the Canadian War Museum, Highland Warriors.

On 6th June, 2019, the Canadian War Museum (CWM) opened its new exhibit of the Highland Warrior and how that culture has permeated the world.  The opening ceremonies started with the skirl of the pipes as twelve pipers and five drummers of the Ceremonial Guard Pipes and Drums came down Commissionaires Way to Lebreton Gallery with the sound echoing off the concrete wall to fill the hall below. Once they were in formation and finished playing, Yasmine Mingay, Manager of Communications and Public Affairs at the CWM, took the time to acknowledge the presence of Mr. George Fouchard who was an RCE Mapper (cartographer) for the 1st Canadian Army for the Normandy campaign. This was of special importance as this day was also the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of D-Day and the start of the Normandy campaign. 

First to the podium was the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sports and Persons with Disabilities.  She noted that the Scots came to Canada and brought their culture with them and in doing so, helped to settle Canada.  They also formed regiments with her own family a part of the 48th Highlanders and she takes great pride in having danced for the regiment for more than twenty years.  To her, the regiments “… taught me the importance of history, of remembering, tradition, and what it means to serve”.  Speaking of her love of bagpipes, she noted that her father’s family comes from Aberdeen and were members of the Gordon Highlanders, but that it was her Polish-Ukrainian mother who played the pipes. 

Next up was Mr. Glenn Ogden, Acting Director – Exhibitions, Creative Development and Learning for the Canadian Museum of History.  He spoke of the remarkable legacy of the Scottish immigrants to Canada before speaking about the exhibit itself.  He told of the 200 plus artifacts from various private collections but also those from the Glasgow Museum and Highlander Museums in Scotland.  Everything from broadswords to the Victoria Cross awarded to a Canadian Piper during WWI (James Cleland Richardson, 72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada).  He then gave a brief overview of the extensive work of the exhibits curator, Mr. Alan Carswell, who has come all the way from Edinburgh, Scotland.

Mr. Carswell spoke of his time in the various Museums and collections that he has cared for and how esteemed the Scottish warriors and their traditions have become.  As an example, he brought up pipers playing The Lament at remembrance ceremonies and how it has become an accepted part of every remembrance ceremony in Canada, the United Kingdom, and throughout much of the world.  But mostly he spoke of the warriors as part of their community and the role they played within it.  He said, “the Highland Warrior … is a very old and long standing figure of respect within Gaelic culture and in the Highlands. … The warrior was a respected figure as the protector of the clan, the protector of the people.  So that tradition and that sense of honour transfers into military service very smoothly”.

He spoke of the peacetime drawdown of the regiments in Great Britain and with it the loss of some of the Highland Regiments.  On a happier note he spoke of the Royal Regiment of Scotland (formed in 2006) which, along with the Rifles, is the largest infantry regiment in the British Army.  The Royal Regiment is unique in that it is a merger of several Highland Regiments into one regiment of seven battalions.  One battalion is a merger of the Royal Scots and the King’s Own Scottish Borderers and the six other battalions are formed from the remaining single battalion regiments of the Scottish divisions.  While having only the one uniform for the regiment, each battalion retains their former titles and distinct hackles on their headdress.  The Pipes and Drums of each regiment also continue to wear the ceremonial tartans and uniforms of their former regiments.  After some re-organization in 2012, the Regiment consists of five regular and two reserve battalions.

The exhibit has many things to offer from weaponry to regalia and the history of it all.  There is some multimedia to watch and one can even pick up a sword or learn about kilts in the interactive area.  All this to show how much people are invested in the Scottish heritage and their regiments and the truths and myths of the Highland Warrior.  If you love all things Scottish, then the exhibit runs until 20th January, 2020.