Lest We Forget

Last Sunday, I went to the Rememberance Day ceremonies at old city hall. It's been a few years since I have been able to attend. One day that I try to never miss. If I can't go to a ceremony I will still honour the day and the two minutes of silence. Things have rapidly changed since I first started attending these ceremonies. I have seen the veterans from WW I diminish and finally disappear, and I am now seeing the same thing happen to the veterans of WW II. Time marches on and stops for no man or woman. It's a loss that we will feel. This year there were a few veterans marching, but no longer the companies or platoons. We had a marching band, Sea and Air Cadets, and a platoon of Officer Cadets. The parades are definitely much smaller now. We marked our minute of silence, sang our traditional hymns, and paid our respects. Then we moved on with our lives. Lest we forget...





One final note. Before the ceremonies started, a horrible display occured. Two young ladies unfurled a banner and started screaming and yelling about how horrible our troops and veterans were. They were escorted nicely off the grounds of Old City Hall by the police and told to go elsewhere. During the ceremonies, and the two minutes of silence, they shouted more statements. They weren't molested or harmed in anyway. They had their freedom of speech that I and my comrades in arms have fought and defended before. I don't think they understood the irony of their position. Your welcome ladies.

Doors Open Toronto: Old Fort York

Things have changed a lot since this place was built and rebuilt. In fact not much of the place has changed since that cold spring morning of April 27, 1813 when Fort York was burned and destroyed during the following five days occupation of the American military force lead by the late Zebulon Pike. Also in this battle was one Ichabod Crane who lead the B company 3rd U.S. Artillery.

the only major change of Fort York is the lake is further away and Garrison Creek is no longer flows along it's east side.



Soldiers no longer drill or parade. Cannons are now just climbed on by children, and the barracks are empty of soldiers.




It's a nice place to wander when there are no crowds. Going into and out of barracks and block houses, looking at displays of life and hardships they endured. I know for a fact that I could empathize with the soldiers common lot. Only thing that probably has changed are the uniform styles and the tools of the trade. They still complained about bad food, weather, officers, troops...the usual stuff.






I have been to this fort one time before. Back around 1975 I think it was. Been a long time and I was much smaller then. I didn't realize how small some of these buildings were, I mean I think I had to watch my head in every single building.



The nice part was that there was a man dressed up in uniform of one of the units that was stationed at Fort York. He had two muskets and one rifle on display. The rifle was one of the Harper Ferry models, I forget which exact one. When there was a large enough group he did a demonstration of a muzzle load and fire. Blank cartridges only...





I actually managed to catch several shots of the formation of the smoke ring here. Well thanks for reading my ramble. Tomorrow I believer will be Montgomery Inn.

Paladin Phil