CBC News will mark Remembrance Day on Friday with special coverage from Ottawa starting at 10 a.m. ET. A find all the details here.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau left Thursday to attend a series of summits in Asia and Africa. Governor General Mary Simon will attend this year’s ceremony along with National Silver Cross Mother Candy Greff. Gref’s son, Master Cpl. Byron Greff, was the last Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan. He was killed on 29 October 2011 when a suicide bomber detonated a car packed with explosives near the armored NATO bus he was traveling in. “It’s an honor to represent those who know what it’s like to lose a child, the pain, the daily struggle, but you do it for your child,” Gref said in a media statement. Candy told the Royal Canadian Legion that she hopes she can inspire young people to remember what many Canadian families lost in Afghanistan. “I hope more children will understand the meaning of ultimate sacrifice,” he said. Simon issued a statement encouraging Canadians to remember the service and sacrifice made by Canada’s veterans. “I especially urge young people to take up the mantle of remembrance and learn how the sacrifice of veterans changed the world.” Simon said Canada, despite being a small power, has earned the respect of its allies and found its voice on the world stage thanks to the sacrifice of many brave Canadians. “Time and time again, our members in uniform have shown their courage and resilience. Our troops have contributed to victories in two world wars – at Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele, Normandy and Dieppe – and many other conflicts.”
Vintage aircraft honor veterans
In a video message, Trudeau said now is the time to honor those who gave their lives so Canadians can live in “freedom, democracy, justice, security and peace.” “With selflessness, dedication and bravery, members of the Canadian Armed Forces and our veterans represent the values we stand for as a country,” he said. Trudeau praised CAF members who helped in the wake of post-tropical storm Fiona and who are deployed in eastern Europe, at sea in the Indo-Pacific and working to train Ukrainians defending their country from Russia. “They do it while wearing the Maple Leaf and continue the tradition of the veterans before them,” he said. The ceremony in Ottawa will include the hymn God Save the King for the first time since Queen Elizabeth’s death in September. It will also feature a special display of vintage military aircraft over Parliament, with each aircraft painted to honor a Canadian veteran. Vintage airplanes participating in the flypast will include:
A P-51 Mustang, which will be painted to honor Larry and Rocky Robillard, who flew with 422 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. A British Hawker Typhoon, to honor Flying Officer William Lidstone McKnight, who served with 242 Squadron RAF. A Supermarine Spitfire MK XII, which will be painted to honor Arnold Roseland, a Canadian pilot who flew 65 times with RCAF 442 Squadron before being shot down and killed over Normandy in 1944.
“Each of these planes played an important role in supporting troops on the ground during World War II, including the ill-fated 1942 raid on the heavily defended French port. [at Dieppe]The Royal Canadian Legion said in a media statement. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid, a battle that claimed the lives of more than 900 Canadian soldiers. It is often described as the Canadian Army’s bloodiest day of the war. To commemorate the anniversary, a glass case will be placed at the foot of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Ottawa containing a Red Ensign flag recovered from Dieppe Beach in 1942 by an American soldier. It was kept by his family for decades before recently being donated to the Royal Canadian Legion. The flag was 70 years old when it appeared on the battlefield. No one knows for sure how he got to Dieppe. While this year marks the 80th anniversary of Dieppe, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s Remembrance Day message notes that Canada is celebrating other famous anniversaries this year. “This year marks the 105th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Battle of Passchendaele in World War I – both critical victories against the enemies of freedom won through the courage and sacrifice of Canadian military heroes.” Poilievre said the freedom Canadians enjoy was bought at great sacrifice by “courageous men and women who answered the call to defend freedom and uphold peace and justice.”
How to observe Memorial Day across the CBC
TV Chief Political Correspondent Rosemary Burton will host coverage from the National War Memorial in Ottawa. You can watch on CBC News Network or CBC-TV starting at 10 a.m. ET. Radio Join World Report’s Matt Galloway and Marcia Young as they host the Remembrance Day ceremony from the National War Memorial in Ottawa, beginning at 10:55 a.m. ET. Coverage will include a moment of silence and wreath laying by this year’s Mother of the Silver Cross — who speaks with The Current’s Galloway about her son. In connection You can follow Barton’s coverage on CBC Gem or the CBC News app. CBC.ca will stream the events live and regularly update the online coverage.
