Nov 11 - Parade Requirement

[drmann]

Does anyone have information regarding the requirement to 'parade' on Remembrance Day?  Besides knowing that a Legion is an appropriate place to do this, I honestly haven't the foggiest what I'm actually supposed to do there.  Do we show up in CFs?  Combats?  When - 1111h or anytime during the day?  Is there some sort of registry to sign?  Thanks in advance for any information...

 

[Pte_Martin]

are you part of the Cf? If so then you unit should have told you all the info already if not phone your unit's orderly room and ask there. if you are a civi then i couldn't tell you, try phoning you city hall and asking if there is any parade in your town

 

[Garry]

Dress: if on parade, you'll know by now If not, then whatever you want. Dress uniform is fine, as are jeans. If you choose not to wear uniform, dresing "nicely" will convey some respect for the occasion. However, the important thing is to show up. Dress is secondary.

Timings: show starts at the local Cenotaph shortly before 11:00 local. If you're there between 10:30 and 10:45 you'll be fine.

No sign up.

Plan on following the crowd to the Legion, Air Force Association Wing, or possibly a (Lions, whatever) club. Suggest you bring a few extra bucks to buy a Vet a beer, they like that. You'll have to listen to a few stories, most of them are good.

Big thing is to go, listen, and enjoy. Let the "old Guys" talk, they've earned it.

They'll be very happy to see you there.

Cheers-Garry

 

[Haggis]

Does anyone have information regarding the requirement to 'parade' on Remembrance Day?  

By the tone of your question, I'll assume you're a serving member.

In short:

-If your unit is on parade then so are you, unless excused or instructed otherwise by your chain of command.
-If you are on TD or attach posted and there is a formal Remembrance cerermony in your location, then you are expected to attend in DEU.
-If there is no formal ceremony in your location, perhaps you could offer yourself to a loocal school for thier Remembrance Day

In any other case, you should observe two minutes of silent reflection at precisely 1100 hours local time tomorrow.

 

[sheikyerbouti]

excuse me for popping in here... but can anyone give me an idea for proper placement of the RCL service medal. I understand it goes right side but I need some guidance on measurements. Please note this is for a civvy uniform.
any help is much appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[armyvern]

excuse me for popping in here... but can anyone give me an idea for proper placement of the RCL service medal. I understand it goes right side but I need some guidance on measurements. Please note this is for a civvy uniform.
any help is much appreciated.
Thanks,

SYB,
If you have only the RCL Service medal it is worn centered on the right chest. The distance from the top edge of your medal to the shoulder seam of your blazer is the same length as a 5 dollar bill.

 

[Gouki]

Must be nice to go on the November Remembrance day parade. I was looking forward to it but unfortunately my tunic on backorder just arrived today at CFSAL sans decals and ... everything. I'm now the boxed lunch guy for tomorrow. I'm thinking about giving myself a blanket party.

One thing I'm wondering about that wasn't covered. Given my glorious task tomorrow, what drill commands will apply to me? General salute, remove/replace headress and the moment of silence are the three that stand out in my mind, but I'm pretty unsure about it, so any heads up to make sure I don't screw up is appreciated.

 

[armyvern]

Must be nice to go on the November Remembrance day parade. I was looking forward to it but unfortunately my tunic on backorder just arrived today at CFSAL sans decals and ... everything. I'm now the boxed lunch guy for tomorrow. I'm thinking about giving myself a blanket party.

That sucks. Possibly because of the thousands of CF members who also waited for the 'points' and then placed all the tunic orders!!

One thing I'm wondering about that wasn't covered. Given my glorious task tomorrow, what drill commands will apply to me? General salute, remove/replace headress and the moment of silence are the three that stand out in my mind, but I'm pretty unsure about it, so any heads up to make sure I don't screw up is appreciated.

Parade will usually occur something like this:
-Fall In
-General Salute (salute)
-O Canada (salute)
-Welcome remarks
-Remove Headdress
-Opening Prayer
-Replace Headdress
-Address
-Roll Call
-11am: 1st Volley
-Last Post (salute)
-2-minute silence observed
-11:02: 2nd volley
-11:03: Reveille (salute)
-Lament
-Placing of wreaths and crosses
-God Save the Queen (salute)
-Benediction
-Fall out to March Past

-If perchance you happen to be at a ceremony where the flags are raised from 1/2 mast as part of the Parade, you should salute as the flags are raised as well.

 

[Gouki]

Excellent, thanks for the layout

 

[Haggis]

-If perchance you happen to be at a ceremony where the flags are raised from 1/2 mast as part of the Parade, you should salute as the flags are raised as well.

Armyvern that shouldn't happen.

Reference: http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/berne-halfmasting/index_e.cfm

"To honour the memory of all Canadians who have served their country in time of war, the National Flag of Canada will be flown at half-mast on all Government of Canada buildings and establishments across Canada from sunrise to sunset on Remembrance Day, Friday, November 11, 2005.

Should half-masting occur at/near a cenotaph or another site where remembrance services are being observed, half-masting can occur at 11:00 a.m. (or according to the prescribed order of service) and extend until sunset. In this regard, the flag on the Peace Tower in Ottawa will fly at half-mast from the commencement of the service at the National War Memorial and remain in that position until sunset."

 

[armyvern]

Armyvern that shouldn't happen.

I know that it shouldn't.

But, I have been on Parades through small towns (or in tiny cemetaries) where the flags have been raised to full staff after the lament.

I don't know why and don't agree with it, but as you will note the 1st paragraph relating to Federal bldgs etc says "will" be flown at half mast for the duration of the day.

The 2nd paragraph relating to the other sites notes only that the flags "may" be flown at half mast for the duration of the day.

Perhaps, they intrepret this differently than you and I or perhaps it is because these sites will be unmanned and isolated once the Parade departs the immediate area.

 

[1feral1]

Do we show up in CFs?   Combats?  

Definately NOT combats, Mate.

Cheers,

Wes

 

[SHF]

I put forth a differing thought on Garry's statement.  Dress is very important.  If you are in the military, dress is 1A all day.  Just showing up, although nice, doesn't convey the correct message to the vets or the public.  Too late for some this year, but get your haircut, shine your boots, and attend the ceremony with dignity.  We seem to be in a resurgence in our society for paying respect to vets (all theatres, all decades).  Nov 11th is not a military holiday, you should be attending a service somewhere. 

Cheers 

 

[drmann]

Thankyou all for your replys.
I shone my Oxfords, de-linted CF's and had my hair cut.  Listened to two veterans talk (ramble) for more than two hours, and I don't regret a second of it.  They deserve our respect and patience.
Cheers

 

[nULL]

That sucks. Possibly because of the thousands of CF members who also waited for the 'points' and then placed all the tunic orders!!
Parade will usually occur something like this:
-Fall In
-General Salute (salute)
-O Canada (salute)
-Welcome remarks
-Remove Headdress
-Opening Prayer
-Replace Headdress
-Address
-Roll Call
-11am: 1st Volley
-Last Post (salute)
-2-minute silence observed
-11:02: 2nd volley
-11:03: Reveille (salute)
-Lament
-Placing of wreaths and crosses
-God Save the Queen (salute)
-Benediction
-Fall out to March Past

-If perchance you happen to be at a ceremony where the flags are raised from 1/2 mast as part of the Parade, you should salute as the flags are raised as well.

Under "Placing of wreaths and crosses", don't forget to place "Advertise for local business." Standing there, in uniform, watching Earl's Fish and Chips shop get free advertisement under the guise of remembrance....disgusting.

Capitalism stoops to a new low!     

 

[Neill McKay]

Under "Placing of wreaths and crosses", don't forget to place "Advertise for local business." Standing there, in uniform, watching Earl's Fish and Chips shop get free advertisement under the guise of remembrance....disgusting.

Capitalism stoops to a new low!      

There may be some of that, but I honestly believe that most, if not all, businesses that place wreaths do so for other reasons than cheap adversitsing.

A comment for those attending the parade as spectators (for next year, of course): salute for the National Anthem, the Last Post, the Rouse, the vice-regal salute if any, God Save the Queen, but not for the Lament or the General Salute.  (But do stand at attention for the general salute.)

Ref. CF Manual of Drill and Ceremonial, pp 1-2-7 and 1-2-8

 

[bridges]

Is Remembrance Day considered, in your area of the CF, a day of duty?  A stat holiday?  Personally, I think it's the one day of the year when we should most consider ourselves on duty.  It seems that our job on that day should be to get out there in the community in our best dress, and remember with everyone else.  However - if I had a dollar for every CF mbr here in the NCR who was talking about what they were going to do with their "long weekend", I would be rich.  In fact, some colleagues were directed by their COS that if they were going to put in leave passes for the weekend, 11 Nov would be counted as a statutory holiday.  Amazing. 

Fortunately, the support in the general public for Remembrance Day does not seem to be waning at all, and even increasing as the years go by.

When I was in Edmonton, parading was considered mandatory for everyone.  It didn't even matter where you showed up - small hometown, Butterdome, wherever - as long as you showed up somewhere.  I hope that's the norm across the country.