09/11/2017
- Passendale
An art installation was unveiled, on November 9, 2017, as a companion piece to The Last Steps Memorial Arch in Halifax. The vision is to provide a meaningful “book end” to what the Army Museum Halifax Citadel successfully installed on the Halifax Waterfront on August 26, 2016. Created to complement the “arch,” The Canada Gate will establish another portal of remembrance, marking the sacred ground at Passchendaele, linking the last steps of Canadian soldiers who left Halifax with the last steps taken on that First World War battlefield. Both The Last Steps Memorial Arch and The Canada Gate have been created to symbolize the fact that so many thousands of lives were forever changed. The most critical commemorative components for both these projects are the burned impressions of the soldiers’ footsteps.
Opening remarks by the Master of Ceremonies, Lt-Col Carl Gauthier, Canadian Armed Forces
Welcome remarks by Mr. Pierre Ruyfflaere, General Coordinator, The Great War Centenary
Speech by Major Ken Hynes (retired), Director, The Canada Gate Project and the introduction of Mrs. Corinne MacLellan
Introduction of Mrs. Nancy Keating by Mrs. Corinne MacLellan, Co-Director of the Canada Gate Project
Speech by Mrs. Nancy Keating, Canada Gate Artist
Speech by Mrs. Sherry Romanando, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
Ribbon cutting
Mrs. Sherry Romanando, accompanied by Major General Turenne, received the General Salute and inspected the guard.
Speech by Mrs. Sherry Romanando
The Catafaque Party took position
The Canadian Armed Force Contingent moved up into position
Wreath laying by Mrs Sherry Romanando, Major General Carl Turenne and the Mayor of Zonnebeke
The Canadian Armed Forces personnel performed a number of musical selections and special manoeuvres
Feu de Joie
Lowering of the National Colours
Presenting of the Flag to Mrs. Sherry Romanando
National Anthems
With the mounting of the vigil and marching off of the troops, the Sunset Cerelony was concluded
Page made by IDG and Daphné Vangheluwe