Defence and security services sections holds a special place at Beechwood Cemetery

There are many different ways people can serve their country during their lives. For those that served, Ottawa’s Beechwood Cemetery offers a respectful and solemn space to honour the sacrifices and contributions to the nation they made before their eventual departure.

The Defence and Security Services section at Beechwood Cemetery is a particularly special place within the cemetery’s boundaries. It offers a place of honour for various service members through its dedicated sections, including the National Military Cemetery, RCMP National Memorial Cemetery, CSIS National Memorial Cemetery, and the Ottawa Police Service Memorial Cemetery.

These areas serve as lasting tributes to those who have served in Canada’s Armed Forces, law enforcement, intelligence, and security services. Additionally, it includes areas recognizing the contributions of Canadian diplomats and Foreign Services officers.

Each section is meticulously maintained, preserving the legacy of those who served. Part of that maintenance is delivered annually by volunteers from the community, individuals who hold a deep reverence for what the cemetery represents.

“We recently had almost 200 people sign up to help us clean military headstones in the Defence and Security Services section,” said Nick McCarthy, Director of Marketing, Communications and Community Outreach with the Beechwood Cemetery Foundation. “During our National Day of Tribute, landscaping companies from around the region descend on Beechwood to conduct a final deep clean prior to Remembrance Day. It is truly remarkable how the community comes together to help maintain Beechwood Cemetery.”

According to McCarthy, the response from community volunteers demonstrates how important our defence and security services are to Canadians, many of whom want to give back in whatever way they can including volunteering their time at Beechwood Cemetery.

“Here at Beechwood we see how much the public wants to engage with us throughout the year,” he said. “We have many volunteers from the general public who don’t have a real attachment to the cemetery, with no family member in the military or police services. They just want to come here and show their support for our military families and veterans. Their actions mean a lot to the military community. It allows the military community to know that wherever they are in the world they will be supported by Canadians.  What better place to see this sentiment become a fulfilled action than at Beechwood.”

With Remembrance Day less than a month away, Beechwood Cemetery is gearing up for annual ceremonies held to honour past and present members of our military services. McCarthy said it’s an excellent opportunity for anyone who has never attended such services to come out and experience the event in person.

“Remembrance Day is the best time to come to Beechwood Cemetery. Come witness and be part of a ceremony that acknowledges the fallen and share that time with families of veterans and people who have their loved ones buried in the ground. We often see our Canadian Armed Forces personnel retire, but these members and their families are always servicing, donating their time, coming to events like these. Whenever we look at defence and security as a whole, we realize their service never ends. Remembrance Day is the time we honour that service.”

For more information, visit Beechwood Cemetery online at https://www.beechwoodottawa.ca/en. 

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