Watch above: Flags have been lowered and veterans are even standing guard at the cenotaph outside City Hall. Vinesh Pratap has more.
EDMONTON – Canadian Forces veterans stood guard at various cenotaphs across the country Thursday, including the one outside Edmonton City Hall.
The decision was made by groups of retired soldiers across Canada in the wake of Wednesday’s shooting in Ottawa where a soldier was killed at the War Memorial.
“It’s a stake in the heart,” said Cpl. (RET) Eric Hjalmarson, who served with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.
“To strike at the centre of our country, the centre of our government, and especially at the War Memorial… that’s a very special place to a lot of people.”
Watch below: Full interview with Cpl. (RET) Eric Hjalmarson
Hjalmarson began his post at the cenotaph outside Edmonton City Hall at 10 a.m. Thursday.
“It basically just happened. I saw a post on social media last night. There were some people – I think they were from back east – that were going to go to the cenotaph this morning and pay their respects.
“I just put up that I was going to be here at 10 o’clock and lay a poppy and show my solidarity.”
He said Master Warrant Officer (RET) Tim Turner, who also served with the PPCLI, wrote back that he’d be there too.
“It’s definitely not a pleasant duty to do,” said Turner. “However, I think it’s important in order to honour the two soldiers.
“I think the most important thing – following the words of the Prime Minister – is that we won’t be intimidated. To stand post here today showed that.”
(Watch below: raw video interview with Master Warrant Officer (RET) Tim Turner)
“You just have to stand guard,” he added. “Bad things happen, and we need people like soldiers and Canadian Forces, and law enforcement to be on guard and ensure we’re safe – the public’s safe.”
Flags were lowered at City Hall and the Alberta Legislature on Thursday and will remain lowered on Friday to honour the soldiers killed.
The memorial at the cenotaph there grew Friday. In addition, Edmonton’s High Level Bridge turned red and white Thursday and Friday nights in honour of the soldiers killed.
In Vancouver, veteran Cpl. (RET) David Ward stood proudly at the cenotaph on Thursday morning, even as rain began to fall around him.
“In honour and respect of the young corporal that was murdered yesterday doing his duty,” he said.
Cpl. Nathan Cirillo was gunned down on Wednesday in Ottawa. Ward said it is his duty to be at the cenotaph Thursday.
Soldier Patrice Vincent was killed Monday after being hit by a car in Quebec. Officials say the attack was “linked to terrorist ideology.”
On Thursday, the Royal Canadian Legion said it will half-mast all its flags in respect of the fallen.
“Yesterday’s events in Ottawa coupled with those in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, serve to bring home the reality of the world that we live in today,” said Dominion President Tom Eagles.
“Years ago, and even as recently as the past few days, Canadians left our country to defend our rights and our way of life. The events of this past week in Quebec and our nation’s capital have now brought home to Canadians that there are those who do not respect our values and are willing to harm the very fabric of our society.”
The Kingsway Legion president in Edmonton said that members of the public should not wear poppies until October 30 at 11 a.m. It is protocol that the Lieutenant Governor is given the first poppy at that time.
Comments