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Canadians gather to honour war dead in shadow of deadly Ottawa shooting Canadians gather to honour war dead in shadow of deadly Ottawa shooting
(about 20 hours later)
Walter Hammond’s class of students had never heard a howitzer salute before. When the guns fired in tribute to the fallen soldiers, they all jumped.Walter Hammond’s class of students had never heard a howitzer salute before. When the guns fired in tribute to the fallen soldiers, they all jumped.
They had come a long way to hear it. They were from Holy Trinity high school in Torbay, Newfoundland, and had gone to Ottawa on a field trip as part of their social studies class, studying concepts of Canadian identity. The focus of the trip was the Remembrance Day celebrations.They had come a long way to hear it. They were from Holy Trinity high school in Torbay, Newfoundland, and had gone to Ottawa on a field trip as part of their social studies class, studying concepts of Canadian identity. The focus of the trip was the Remembrance Day celebrations.
They could not have come at a more meaningful moment for Canada.They could not have come at a more meaningful moment for Canada.
The National War Memorial in Ottawa was first dedicated in May 1939 – just a few months before Canada joined Britain and France in declaring war on Nazi Germany.The National War Memorial in Ottawa was first dedicated in May 1939 – just a few months before Canada joined Britain and France in declaring war on Nazi Germany.
And on Tuesday, as 80,000 people gathered in Canada’s capital for Remembrance Day – the largest crowd by far to gather there since the memorial’s first dedication – the solemn moment was also haunted by the spectre of a more recent violence.And on Tuesday, as 80,000 people gathered in Canada’s capital for Remembrance Day – the largest crowd by far to gather there since the memorial’s first dedication – the solemn moment was also haunted by the spectre of a more recent violence.
In October, Corporal Nathan Cirillo, a Canadian soldier standing guard at the memorial, was shot and killed by a gunman who then attacked the parliament building. The day before, Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent was also murdered in a hit and run attack.In October, Corporal Nathan Cirillo, a Canadian soldier standing guard at the memorial, was shot and killed by a gunman who then attacked the parliament building. The day before, Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent was also murdered in a hit and run attack.
Security was much higher than in previous years; police with dogs stood on corners, and riflemen stood guard on rooftops. But the terrible events of the past few weeks have inspired, as well as horror, a renewed sense of pride and resilience in the nation. The Royal Canadian Legion reported that more than 19m poppies, the symbol of remembrance, had been sold this year - more than in any previous year.Security was much higher than in previous years; police with dogs stood on corners, and riflemen stood guard on rooftops. But the terrible events of the past few weeks have inspired, as well as horror, a renewed sense of pride and resilience in the nation. The Royal Canadian Legion reported that more than 19m poppies, the symbol of remembrance, had been sold this year - more than in any previous year.
One of Hammond’s students, Olivia Nesbitt, 14, said she found the idea that Cirillo could have been murdered on Canadian soil “very scary” at first. She said she thought nothing like that could happen there. “But then I realised war is all over the world, and something like this can happen somewhere near you.”One of Hammond’s students, Olivia Nesbitt, 14, said she found the idea that Cirillo could have been murdered on Canadian soil “very scary” at first. She said she thought nothing like that could happen there. “But then I realised war is all over the world, and something like this can happen somewhere near you.”
Jack Combden, 14, another of the students from Hammond’s class, said that the day had been a sombre one. “But at the same time, it was celebrating,” he said. “It really gives you a chance to remember how lucky you are.”Jack Combden, 14, another of the students from Hammond’s class, said that the day had been a sombre one. “But at the same time, it was celebrating,” he said. “It really gives you a chance to remember how lucky you are.”
Rabbi Reuven Bulka, giving the benediction, said Canada had always been a peace-loving nation, but that it now found itself right in the eye of the terror storm.Rabbi Reuven Bulka, giving the benediction, said Canada had always been a peace-loving nation, but that it now found itself right in the eye of the terror storm.
“Our sacred space, this sacred space … has been violated,” he said. “Yet it remains a sacred space – perhaps even more so. What was before a vivid symbol of the precious blood spilled to preserve our freedom, is now and forever a place where real blood was spilled.”“Our sacred space, this sacred space … has been violated,” he said. “Yet it remains a sacred space – perhaps even more so. What was before a vivid symbol of the precious blood spilled to preserve our freedom, is now and forever a place where real blood was spilled.”
As the sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky, Princess Anne read a message from the Queen, and Canada’s governor general spoke, as well as Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Liberal party leader, Justin Trudeau.As the sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky, Princess Anne read a message from the Queen, and Canada’s governor general spoke, as well as Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Liberal party leader, Justin Trudeau.
Chris Markevich, a student at the University of Ottowa, watched the parade from across the street from the east block of the parliament building. He said that he thought the ceremony was bringing people together. “It’s a show of solidarity, a show of respect for the two gentlemen that lost their lives, as well as the overall feeling of remembrance.” Chris Markevich, a student at the University of Ottawa, watched the parade from across the street from the east block of the parliament building. He said that he thought the ceremony was bringing people together. “It’s a show of solidarity, a show of respect for the two gentlemen that lost their lives, as well as the overall feeling of remembrance.”
He said it was about coming together as a city and as a nation. “The reason people are here – the reason I’m here – is to honour their memories, and never forget why this day exists.He said it was about coming together as a city and as a nation. “The reason people are here – the reason I’m here – is to honour their memories, and never forget why this day exists.
Jamie Bresolin, a lieutenant in the Canadian navy, was also there for the ceremony. He told the Guardian that it was the largest turnout he had ever seen for the Remembrance Day service, and one that “seemed to provide a little closure to all that’s happened in the last few weeks here”.Jamie Bresolin, a lieutenant in the Canadian navy, was also there for the ceremony. He told the Guardian that it was the largest turnout he had ever seen for the Remembrance Day service, and one that “seemed to provide a little closure to all that’s happened in the last few weeks here”.
He said that while the ceremony was a big deal every year, this year there was definitely an sense of something more. “A little bit of everything; sadness and pride at the same time.”He said that while the ceremony was a big deal every year, this year there was definitely an sense of something more. “A little bit of everything; sadness and pride at the same time.”
Hammond, for whom this is the second time bringing students on this trip, said that the class had had a really powerful experience. Nesbitt agreed; she said she found the ceremony “very empowering”.Hammond, for whom this is the second time bringing students on this trip, said that the class had had a really powerful experience. Nesbitt agreed; she said she found the ceremony “very empowering”.
“It was a sombre time to remember all these soldiers who fought for our freedom,” she told the Guardian. “There were a lot of sacrifices made for our country so it can be a peaceful place.”“It was a sombre time to remember all these soldiers who fought for our freedom,” she told the Guardian. “There were a lot of sacrifices made for our country so it can be a peaceful place.”