In May 2000, the remains of an unidentified Canadian soldier who died in the First World War were repatriated from France and, with great ceremony, were buried in a special tomb in front of the National War Memorial in Ottawa, Canada. This is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was created to honour the more than 116,000 Canadians who scrificed their lives in the cause of peace and freedom. The Unknown Soldier represents all Canadians, whether they be navy, army, air force or merchant marine, who died or may die for their country in all conflicts - past, present and future.
The project began several years ago at the instigation of The Royal Canadian Legion who developed the idea as a Millennium Project, and it was taken up by the Canadian Government under the lead of Veterans Affairs Canada.
Reprinted from November 2013 Community Report by Paul Calandra, M.P.
That is such a wonderful idea and such a very meaningful way to Honor all those who fought the brave fight.
ReplyDeleteI remember visiting the final resting place of the American Unknown Soldier on a trip to Washington, DC, when I was very young. It boggled my mind then to think of such a thing, a man dying in service to his country and not even having his name known. It still does boggle my mind, in some ways.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that the 11th, your Remembrance Day, specifically honours the dead. Our Memorial Day, in May, is for that purpose, while Veterans Day, on the 11th of November, is for honoring all who have served. In any case, it is best to honor them all always.