Canadian veterans led a May 28 ceremony at the National War Memorial to mark the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the country’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
On the day of the anniversary, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, Canadian military officials, veterans representing the Royal Canadian Legion and hundreds of local residents gathered for a solemn ceremony honouring the unknown soldier and all of those who lost their lives serving Canada in times of war.
Speeches were made, bagpipes were played and poppies were laid on the tomb in a midday ceremony under a blue, sunny sky.
“A tomb covered in red poppies that reflects remembrance and gratitude for our fallen,” said Retired Vice Admiral and Legion representative Larry Murray, and “also symbolizes all of Canada’s unknown soldiers, those whose bodies were buried but never identified or have no known grave. We will remember them.”
The tomb contains the remains of an unidentified soldier from the First World War who was originally laid to rest in near Vimy Ridge in France — scene of the April 1917 battle in which Canadian soldiers played a key role in victory and which has come to symbolize the emergence of Canada’s independent nationhood.
The Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission oversaw the recovery of the soldier’s remains from the original gravesite, while the Royal Canadian Air Force, along with Veterans Affairs Canada, oversaw the transport of the soldier back to Canada.
Upon arrival at the Ottawa airport, the soldier’s remains were safeguarded by Kelly Funeral Home and were eventually escorted to their final resting place at the National War Memorial by the RCMP.
“Twenty-five years ago, we brought our soldier home to this resting place. This was the culmination of a determined effort by members of the Royal Canadian Legion, who, with the collaboration of Veterans Affairs and others, made it a reality. But it was not an easy process.”
— Retired Brigadier General Duane Daly
“Twenty-five years ago, we brought our soldier home to this resting place,” said Retired Brigadier General Duane Daly. “This was the culmination of a determined effort by members of the Royal Canadian Legion, who, with the collaboration of Veterans Affairs and others, made it a reality. But it was not an easy process.”
It took years of discussions and negotiations between the Canadian government and Legion officials for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier project to get off the ground. In 1996, the Legion took the initiative and began planning the memorial. Veterans Affairs saw the Legion’s determination to create a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for Canada and began assisting with the project, which was eventually realized in May 2000.
At the dedication ceremony on May 28 that year, then governor general Adrienne Clarkson delivered an address that, a quarter-century later, veterans such as Murray still describe as powerful.
“This unknown soldier was not able to live out his allotted span of life to contribute to his country,” Clarkson said in her speech at the time. “But in giving himself totally through duty, commitment, love and honour, he has become part of us forever. As we are part of him.”
Clarkson attended the 25th anniversary event as a member of the audience.
Simon gave a brief speech and later laid a wreath at the tomb.
“The Unknown Soldier symbolizes the approximately 116,000 Canadians who gave their lives in the pursuit of peace and freedom,” said Simon. “Though many of their names and stories remain unknown, their sacrifice left a boundless impact on countless lives.”
