Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day

On November 11th each year, Canadians stand in collective Remembrance of all who have fallen in the military service of their country.

The Legion, on behalf of the people of Canada, organizes and conducts the National Remembrance Day service in Ottawa.

The ceremony is held at the National War Memorial in downtown Ottawa.

It begins with the Veterans' Marching Contingent and concludes with the Veterans' march-past.

I would like to take this moment out to honour all of our OVGRS family members who have served be they from Canada, the United States or other countries.

I hesitate to name individuals as I am not aware of the past history of all our members...so...thank you to those who have served.  Your commitment to duty is forever appreciated.

Sentries take turns standing on guard at the National War Memorial with Canada's Parliament Buildings rising in the background to the northwest.

A view from a different angle shows the National War Memorial with the Chateau Laurier hotel standing proud in behind to the northeast.

Our Governor General, the King's representative in Canada, lays a wreath at the cenotaph on Remembrance Day, 2024.

Silver Cross Mother for the year 2024, Maureen Anderson, is escorted by Royal Canadian Legion members to the Remembrance Day service held at the National War Memorial here in Ottawa.

My research tells me that each year a National Silver Cross Mother is selected by the Royal Canadian Legion to represent all mothers who have lost children in military service.

A new Silver Cross Mother's year-long tenure begins on November 1st.

Many soldiers died and were buried nearby the front with their tombs being virtually unknown over the years.

The "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a monument to these unidentified soldiers and many nations honour these unidentified soldiers.

In Canada, the tomb is located at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.

It contains the remains of an unknown Canadian soldier from WWI representing all Canadians who have died in conflict whose graves are unknown.

The American Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is the burial site of three unidentified service members from World War I, World War II and the Korean War.

It is located at Arlington National Cemetery and has a perpetual 24/7 guard ceremony on hand signifying eternal remembrance.

In France, the original Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was established in 1920 at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on November 11th simultaneously with the interment of a British unknown soldier in Westminster Abby.

These two graves were the first examples of a tomb of the unknown soldier and the first two sites to honour the unknown dead of the First World War.

In 1923 an eternal flame was established at the site and is rekindled every day at 6:30 PM.

In Britain, the tomb is referred to as the "Tomb of the Unknown Warrior" and, as mentioned earlier, is located at the west end of  Westminster Abbey in London.

The tomb contains the body of an unidentified British soldier from World War I, buried on November 11, 1920.

The tomb serves as a national symbol for all Commonwealth servicemen who died in the war and remain unknown.

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada...a time to reflect on all those who gave their lives for us to live as freely as we do.

In 2016 Malcolm, Pat and Steve & Seanna snapped some great pics from a number of sessions.

We spot two locomotives in Ralph Yard.

The Conrail unit will take Train 302 out from Firgrove while the CN switcher will remain and work the yard tracks.

I'm busy taking a photograph off in the distance as 302 shuffles down the grade and takes the siding track at Watkins.

Canadian National Geep #1707 holds down the work duties in Nelson Yard.

Chris & Lela run a westbound through Spruce.

Moe will inherit this locomotive upon Chris & Lela's departure to the Maritime provinces.

Malcolm is now aboard Train 312 meeting a westbound at Ironwood.

Pauls's CP locomotive handles all incoming and outgoing traffic in Douglas Yard to the east at Craig Leigh.

No, this is not a 'cornfield meet' in the making.

Engine 8250 is using the mainline at 'The Ledges" to drill the Brunt's Brewery siding.

The switcher in the distance is busily making up the next passenger train to depart Firgrove.

This eastbound train threads the needle between the buildings at Bellamy.

Next destination for Pool Train 15 is Glen Hammond.

Pat takes a well-deserved break in the proceedings.

There's Chris & Lela now with Henk looking on in the background.

Bell certainly looked quite different back then!

Chris & Lela's power is located on the grand curve to the west of town.

This wonderful action shot showcases Nelson Yard, Glen Hammond and Bell.

My...how the weeds do grow!

The RP&M switcher escapes the clutches of the 'tunnel of green'!

With no tall fence along the back property, neighbours could follow our exploits at their leisure!

Bob & Brian hang out near the Craig Leigh engine house where Brian dials up his Canadian Pacific pairing of F's.

I've always enjoyed this low-angle shot of Passenger #1 slowing to a stop at the Spruce depot.

In recent times, the depot has shuffled further west to the curve outside of town.

This was the look at Watkins Siding in the past.

Colin's son Paul often worked Nelson Yard 'back in the day'.

It's a triple meet of sorts down in Peter's Pond.

Someone will be heading into reverse in short order to clear the congestion!

Henk's diminutive center cab rolls off the RP&M bound for Nelson Yard.

Speaking of Henk...here he is working the yard with Gord.

Spruce...as captured from a distance!

Here's little ole me when I carried a bit more tonnage a-lading!  😄😎😄

The Fred Mills Trestle has withstood the test of time throughout the years!

We glance over Nelson Yard to Glen Hammond and Bell beyond!

I believe Lawrence made this bridge span and donated it to one of our members.

As he does today, Paul was our yardmaster in Craig Leigh in the 'wayback' years!

Check out the foliated canyon that trains had to navigate through on the big curve outside of Spruce at the location where the depot now stands.

Cedar Rock came about with Lawrence and some of the lads holding discussions as to its reasoning.

We all agree that the branch line has certainly added wonderful challenges to our operations!

Here is a glance at Cedar Rock from back then.

Bob (in hat) has entered Nelson Yard with the ore train as Paul Churcher looks one.

Off Bob goes!

Now, here's a picture for the ages!

Pat's Pacific #2453 leads Steve's Pacific # 2402 out from Firgrove bound for Craig Leigh aboard Passenger #2 during a late autumn run in November of 2015.

Thanks to Pat for locating this great double-header image from our past blog files!

This is the actual Gananoque depot about an hour's drive from Ottawa.

She's a wonderful structure!

And...here she was back in the year 2017!

In later years, the fence went up and one property containing a single bungalow was split into two properties where brand new homes sprouted up!

Thanks as always to Friar Fred as Johnny Chuff Chuff called him.

The joy continues to emanate from the backyard at Fred's home.

We are all the beloved members of the greater OVGRS family.

Later this evening when we gather at OVAR we will take time out from our camaraderie for a moment of silence for the fallen who served our country with such courage.

Lest we forget.

Indeed, we do remember and we always will.