National War Memorial & Tomb of The Unknown Soldier

[davidk]

But i did hear unofficially they may have students to act as interpreters of the meaning of the Cenotaph..[/img]

Just so long as it's not the same bunch that work at Rideau Hall...some of the stuff they say is just total blasphemy. While working a sentry shift there, I've heard them say things like: "The GG is Canada's representative to the U.N." and "She takes over if the Queen dies."

/rant.

Short of a 24-hour military presence, a cordon would probably be the best option.

Maybe some sort of electrified cordon....

 

[Dr Mike]

Hmmm, some class time might be in order for sure P)

 

[Franko]

Well that picture just pissed me off.

Last year I told a fella to get off the tomb...the question of " Why?" escaped his yick.

After explaining it to him, along with some motivational verbs mixed in, he promptly got off it and left walking briskly.

Get a platoon of troops (with support staff) on Class B there year round.... period.

I'm sure that it can be done, seeing as we can have a slew of 200+ troops lolly gagging around in Wainwright doing OPFOR year round.

Hell, make it a PAT Plt tasking. Remember hearing about troops waiting 3+ months for courses.

But of course, in a couple months time when the cold weather hits, this will all be forgotten until next year when spring arrives and the arguments fly.

Regards

 

[X-mo-1979]

Well that picture just pissed me off.

Last year I told a fella to get off the tomb...the question of " Why?" escaped his yick.

After explaining it to him, along with some motivational verbs mixed in, he promptly got off it and left walking briskly.

Get a platoon of troops (with support staff) on Class B there year round.... period.

I'm sure that it can be done, seeing as we can have a slew of 200+ troops lolly gagging around in Wainwright doing OPFOR year round.

Hell, make it a PAT Plt tasking. Remember hearing about troops waiting 3+ months for courses.

But of course, in a couple months time when the cold weather hits, this will all be forgotten until next year when spring arrives and the arguments fly.

Regards

Agreed.
However I don't think a wide eyed 17 yr old pat platoon Pte with his cornflake would be someone to send down there.
Maybe even some legion guys who could volunteer to act as interrupters for the site during the summer.

p.s You still sound bitter over wainwrong."I received a lot of valuable realistic training that me and my crew were proud to be a part of sir!"

6 weeks of useless training...

But yeah as you said,give this another month and it will be old news until the weather starts shaping up again in 09.

 

[rmc_wannabe]

Am I crazy to think if the opportunity came about to stand sentry for 6 months in the dead of winter or go on tour .... that I'd take the sentry posting? 

 

[Dr Mike]

    It has been officially announced that students have been hired as interpreters for the summer. I visited the Cenotaph yesterday and theyw ere doing a great job. They have a program for younger kids , a kind of I spy, and for adults a full explanation of the Cenotaph, hiistory etc. They are enthused and really an asset.It was also interesting to watch the peole to whom they are speaking. And i was rather taken aback when a couple came over and thanked me for persisting in trying to get respect shown for the Cenotaph. That is more than the Government has done.
    i was not looking for anything but it is manners, but that has changed I guess. I was talking to an uncle, helied about his age. ia sked if he was at D-day.."Oh yeah" he said casually,,that is the  type of person who I hung in for.
    Ao all I would like to see added is a small cordon, to remind people that it is not something to be climbed on, I am not talking about people placing flowers ora  poppie butpeole lounging on the Tomb.

   
   

 

[Neill McKay]

I think any sort of presence would do it: a continuous guard, a private security officer, a Commissionaire, a Parks Canada employee, an interpreter -- it doesn't matter much as long as there's someone there to explain what it's all about and why skateboarding or relieving one's self on it isn't appropriate.

I'd hate to see a fence, though; I think it's important that people be able to get close to monuments like that.  A fence will have an unfortunate effect well beyond just keeping knuckle-draggers off of it.

 

[Dr Mike]

  NEIL  A FENCE IS NOT WHAT i AM SUGGESTING, i THINK A  1 1/2 FOOT HIGH ( .5 METRES FOR PURISTS ) CORDON, ABOUT 1 FOOT OR LESS FROM THE tOMB... tHIS WOULD ALLOW POEPL TO TOUGH THE TOMB, PLACE FLOWERS, POPPIES ETC...BUT IT WOULD SUGGEST THAT IT IS NOT A BENCH.
i TIRED TO GET PEOPLE TO GO BUY TO HAND OUT PAMPHLETS WHEN THEY SEE PEOPLE SITTING ON IT BUT WITH LITTLE LUCK. I HAD HOPED SOME IN THE LEGION WOULD HAVE VOLUNTEERED...aND NOW THAT i HAVE A BROEK LEG FROM THE HIT AND RUN 6 JUNE, i AM OUT OF THAT LOOP.
  BUT THE GUEARD OF HONOUR AND THE INTERPRETERS ARE A STEP FORWARD....I HOPE THEY PUBLICIZE THIS A BIT AS THE PISSER PHOTO  GOT A LOT OF PLAY INTERNATIONALLY.