Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Photo by Ed Halayko

As Chairman of the AFP/AAC I was invited to represent the members of the Armed Forces Pensioners'/Annuitants' Association Inc. of Canada to participate in the Unknown Soldier Ceremonies as an "Official Mourner Not in Uniform". It was an experience and a privilege not be forgotten. Once before I experienced the reaction from the public that lined the streets of the Slow March. When in Holland during, one of the annual commemorations of the Liberation in 1994 by the Canadian Forces, hundreds of thousands of Dutch people lined the parade route and all wanted to shake our hands and thank us for what we did.

In Ottawa, the parade was controlled, but as soon as a veterans' group marched passed any given point, the citizenry lining the streets broke into applause. They were silent while the political groups walked by.

After the Ceremony at the Memorial and while walking to the Reception, people continued to clap and wanted to shake the hands of the veterans.

To a large degree, my faith in the Canadian citizenry, young and old, was restored. This, in spite of this government's attempts to denigrate the military, military history and veterans. The people still have not forgotten.

Many politicians of all stripes appeared to participate in photo ops but they were largely ignored and did not detract from the solemnity of the Ceremony.

May the Unknown soldier now rest in Peace, on Canadian soil!

Ed Halayko