National Ceremony of Remembrance Day 2021 in Ottawa and the poppy's 100th anniversary.
The National Remembrance Day Ceremony began on Thursday, November 11, 2021, at 10:45 a.m. EST. The Ceremony was on television broadcast by CBC and live-streamed on Canadian Legion’s Facebook page. The video that was live-streamed is still available for those who may have missed it here. https://www.facebook.com/CanadianLegion/videos/577246086833435
According to the Ottawa Police, an estimated crowd of 15,000 people attended the ceremony.
Even though there would likely be more people there sans COVID-19, this year’s ceremony is still an improvement compared to last year.
Last year, there was no Veteran’s parade, no Canadian Armed Forces parade, and the wreaths were pre-positioned so that no wreath bearers or assistants would be required. The ceremony included no more than 100 participants.
Despite occurring amidst a pandemic, social distancing measures did not seem to be in effect. Don Cormier, the Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) for the Canadian Material Support Group of the Canadian Armed Forces, attended the ceremony in person and confirmed that when it came to social distancing, “there was no enforcement.”
The two minutes of silence to honour those who have fallen was initially meant to be held at 11:00 a.m. The entire initial plan for scheduling regarding the National Remembrance Day Ceremony was delayed.
“The arrival of dignitaries at the national Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa was delayed due to a suspicious package in the vicinity,” said the RCMP’s National Division on Thursday.
Many moments of silence seemed to occur throughout the ceremony as the crowds anxiously awaited the arrival of Justin Trudeau and others.
Despite arriving late, Trudeau still participated in the ceremony’s placing of wreaths and took a picture with the band and choir.
Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Darryl Gould says that Remembrance Day gives us the ability “to remember all of the sacrifices that people, both past and present, have given for us as a nation.”
MWO Gould’s colleague, Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Don Cormier, attended Ottawa’s National Remembrance Day Ceremony. CWO Cormier says that he felt “pride and reflection.” He adds that he was able to “feel a connection with people who care about remembering and supporting the veterans.”
Early in the ceremony, Canadians were reminded that this year’s Remembrance Day is also the poppy’s 100th anniversary as Canada’s symbol of remembrance.
CWO Cormier says that reflecting on the significance of the poppy “is different for those who have served in the military.” Cormier adds that in his mind, he “surveys the number of people that are taking note of this special time of the year for our country.”
MWO Gould says that, to him, the poppy “symbolizes the blood given for us to have the ability to be a free and diverse nation.”
The National War Memorial was on display in the centre of the ceremony. CWO Cormier remarked that it gave him a new dimension of pride to stare at the National War Memorial and “see how amazing it is.”
“It’s such a piece of artwork. The representation of it is so amazing to commemorate all of those that gave their lives”, Cormier adds.
The entire ceremony was delayed due to the aforementioned suspicious package. The choir did not sing Of Canada until just over an hour into the ceremony.
The whole country continues to battle through COVID-19. It was clear, shown by the emotion of the veterans during Oh Canada, that this Remembrance Day, this day of unification, was even more significant than those in years past.