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Greets to all from sunny (and warm) South Carolina. Apologies if I've posted in the wrong place; my forum skills are somewhat lacking. Former USN here, and you might be wondering why I'm in a Canadian Army blog. Or whatever this is called. But I have a question that's been nagging my mind for years, and I hope someone out there can square me away.
I was stationed at Combined Forces Base Argentia Newfoundland in 1991 - 1992. One day in barracks (I don't remember precisely what date this occurred), I turned on TV and found - already in progress - a reading of a roll call; an alphabetic list of many names of soldiers. I watched and listened for as long as I could, but unfortunately, I never found out precisely what event was being commemorated. The passage of time has dimmed my memory of the details, but I'm certain the reading was in recognition of a very special anniversary; much more significant than a "routine" annual event.
Over the years since, I've done some basic research, trying to find out what I could. I wrote to a couple of Canadian and province government agencies, with no luck (It appears both Canadian and US politicians may get their inertia training at the same school - "a body at rest tends to remain at rest...").
I'm almost certain the names I heard were men of the Newfoundland Regiment killed at the Somme on 01 July, 1916. I know that 01 July is honored as Memorial Day in Newfoundland & Labrador. And of course, the 75th anniversary of that battle was 01 July 1991, which would fit in with my tour dates on the Rock. So my ultimate question to you is - does anyone out there recall such an event, specifically in Nfld? Do similar readings take place around the country at various dates, to honor the fallen of various regiments?
Here in the States, we have too have a Memorial Day and Veteran's Day, of course. But I personally know of no such "reading of names" as I saw there in Argentia. All these years later, I still am moved at the Remembrance. And suddenly, in an eye blink the 100th anniversary is just over a year from now.
Thanks to all you Canadian allies for your service and sacrifices. God bless you all.
Goat
L. Jackson
[email protected]
I was stationed at Combined Forces Base Argentia Newfoundland in 1991 - 1992. One day in barracks (I don't remember precisely what date this occurred), I turned on TV and found - already in progress - a reading of a roll call; an alphabetic list of many names of soldiers. I watched and listened for as long as I could, but unfortunately, I never found out precisely what event was being commemorated. The passage of time has dimmed my memory of the details, but I'm certain the reading was in recognition of a very special anniversary; much more significant than a "routine" annual event.
Over the years since, I've done some basic research, trying to find out what I could. I wrote to a couple of Canadian and province government agencies, with no luck (It appears both Canadian and US politicians may get their inertia training at the same school - "a body at rest tends to remain at rest...").
I'm almost certain the names I heard were men of the Newfoundland Regiment killed at the Somme on 01 July, 1916. I know that 01 July is honored as Memorial Day in Newfoundland & Labrador. And of course, the 75th anniversary of that battle was 01 July 1991, which would fit in with my tour dates on the Rock. So my ultimate question to you is - does anyone out there recall such an event, specifically in Nfld? Do similar readings take place around the country at various dates, to honor the fallen of various regiments?
Here in the States, we have too have a Memorial Day and Veteran's Day, of course. But I personally know of no such "reading of names" as I saw there in Argentia. All these years later, I still am moved at the Remembrance. And suddenly, in an eye blink the 100th anniversary is just over a year from now.
Thanks to all you Canadian allies for your service and sacrifices. God bless you all.
Goat
L. Jackson
[email protected]
