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Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day

Ontario's Ceremony of Remembrance
Friday, November 11, 2011
Front Lawn, Legislative Building
Queen’s Park, Toronto

On the front lawn of the Ontario Legislature there stands a 30-metre-long granite wall, etched with scenes from Canada's military history.

Ontario's Veterans' Memorial is dedicated to every man and woman who has served with courage to protect our freedom in times of war and in peace.

On November 11, 2011, starting at 10:45 AM, we will honour our veterans by remembering their selfless courage and commitment at Ontario's Ceremony of Remembrance held at the Veterans' Memorial.

 

Photos

 
Remembrance Day 2011
 

Video

 
Remembrance Day 2011
 

Program

Ceremony of Remembrance at Queen’s Park. Starts at 10:45 a.m.

Welcome

Arrival of platform party

Last Post

Two minutes of Silence at 11:00

Lament

Rouse

Remarks
The Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario
Brigadier-General F.A. Lewis
Major-General Richard Rohmer

Prayer

In Flanders Fields

Youth Pledge

Laying of Wreaths

Benediction

God Save the Queen

O Canada

 

Veterans' Memorial

The Veterans' Memorial is located on the northwest part of the front lawn at Queen's Park. It consists of a 30-metre-long granite wall etched with scenes from Canada's war history and inscribed with text from author Jane Urquhart and military historian Jack Granatstein. The memorial site also features a stone-paved gathering area, a seating area, paths and a gently sloping lawn.

The design was created by well-known Canadian artist Allan Harding MacKay and landscape architectural firm Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg.

The People's Wreath

The laying of wreaths is an important part of Remembrance Day ceremonies.

Among the many wreaths laid each year is the People’s Wreath.

Members of the public are asked to acknowledge the sacrifices that have been made on their behalf by placing a poppy on a flowerless wreath.

This year, come to the Ceremony of Remembrance at Queen’s Park and pin a poppy on the People’s Wreath.

Everyone welcome.

"In Flanders Fields"

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.

Poem written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in 1915

 

Youth Pledge

Pledge of Remembrance

They were young, as we are young,

They served, giving freely of themselves.

To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time,

To carry their torch and never forget.

We will remember them.

 

 

 

 

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