Beechwood Cemetery hosting several ceremonies leading up to Remembrance Day

Beechwood Cemetery, also known at the National Military Cemetery, will be hosting a few ceremonies and tributes in the lead-up to Remembrance Day.

The cemetery, long held as an important place and focal point in Ottawa for veterans, Canadian Armed Forces Members, their families and supports, will begin its three-day program on Friday, November 5.

During Veteran’s Week and before Remembrance Day, Beechwood Cemetery will honour three different communities who have sacrificed for the Canadian way of life in the week and days leading up to November 11.

“Our Remembrance period really starts on November for us here at Beechwood,” Nicolas McCarthy spokesperson for the Beechwood Cemetery told The Sam Laprade Show on Thursday, November 4. “We are as busy as busy can be but it’s very rewarding.”

The first, The National Day of Tribute — Service Day, will be held at the cemetery’s Field of Honour (Section 27) on Friday, at 7:30 p.m.

For the last 17 years, landscapers, horticulturalists and landscape companies from across Ottawa have gathered at Beechwood to volunteer their time and products as a way to honour all Canadian Armed Forces Members and veterans, Beechwood says in its program.

A short reflection will be held Friday and then the crew clean, maintain and work to ensure that the National Military Cemetery is perfect for everyone who comes on and leading up to Remembrance Day.

About 20 to 30 companies are expected to take part in Friday’s event.

The second event — the RCMP Veterans Remembrance Ceremony at the RCMP National Memorial Cemetery at Beechwood — will take place at Section 114, also known as the Cenotaph.

The ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, November 6 at 11 a.m. and includes a wreath-laying.

“The RCMP has a proud military heritage. This page discusses the RCMP's participation in the North-West Rebellion (1885), the South African War (1899-1902), the First World War (1914-1918), the Second World War (1939-1945) and United Nations missions (1989 to present),” the cemetery details. “Every year, RCMP Veterans Association Ottawa Division honours that heritage with a Remembrance Ceremony at the RCMP National Memorial Cemetery at Beechwood. A short ceremony followed by wreath laying is held.”

The last of the events is happening on November 7 at 2 p.m. at the National Military Cemetery’s Field of Honour in Section 27, the Cross of Sacrifice.

This day will mark the Annual Remembrance Day ceremony for the people  of France and the French community in Canada.

The ceremony is organized with the help of the Embassy of France in Canada and La Société National d’Entraide de la Médaille Militaire.

A short ceremony will be followed by a wreath laying.

“We’re always trying to give back and always trying to get people to connect with Remembrance,” McCarthy said. “We definitely encourage people to come, especially on the weekends leading to Remembrance Day — just come around Beechwood to take a look. No matter where you are in the country or in the world, you’ll find people representative of your community, your background, your heritage. Our veteran’s section — we regularly hold events with all kinds of embassies and communities, because there are 27 different nationalities, represented there — so every ally that served with us.”