Remembrance Day 2007
1:57PM, November 12, 2007 - [ Permalink]
We did our usual brunch over at Patty Bolands, but ate quickly to ensure we could make it up to the cenotaph in time. We arrived in a timely manner, and quickly realized we should have left much earlier.
This year had to be the most beautiful weather for Remembrance Day this century, clear and sunny, and the crowds certainly reflected this - there were people everywhere. Apparently, over thirty thousand people attended this year, compared to seventeen thousand last year.
The always moving "The Last Post" (mp3) was played,
followed by the first crack of the cannon, which startled many, signaling the beginning of the two minutes of silence.
Quietly, time passed until the second cannon announced the end.
A few moment later, there was a fly-past of two Canadian Forces CF-188s (commonly referred to as CF-18's). One of these years I would like to see a proper missing-man formation on Remembrance Day. In Flanders Fields was sung by a choir, wreaths were laid, God Save the Queen was sung, there were a few speeches, or rather, prayers, including a very well-received one by the (presumably) Rabi, whose name I am unable to locate.
Finally, there was the parade of veterans who were loudly applauded by the assembled to show their thanks.
There seemed to be audio problems this year, or perhaps a decision not to announce what was going on most of the time which I thought was unusual, perhaps leaving it up to people to watch the large screens instead.
Being mindful of the past, this reminds me that my name sake, Thomas O'Connor fought in the Great War, fought at the Battle of Neuville Vitasse, the Second Battle of Arras, Battle of the Scarpe.
On September 8th, 1918, he was injured during a Mustard Gas attack that put him in the hospital until nearly the end of the war. Mustard gas is an oil-based blistering agent that can remain on clothes, skin, and anything it touches for hours, and sometimes days if the conditions (temperature) are right.
I never met my great-grandfather, as he died of a heart attack in 1967. I have only heard a few stories, held his helmet and seen a few pictures of him - and I can't help but think of him on Remembrance Day.
I remember.
