Remembrance Day Ceremony Overlooking the Mattawa Plains at CFB Petawawa

November 9, 2022 - Defence Stories

Caption

Remembrance Day memorial created by a member of 21 EW Regt to honour those who have been lost, overlooking the Mattawa Plains from Clement Hill in CFB Petawawa
Photo Taken by Sgt KJS Lees

On November 11^th 2021, members of the 21 Electronic Warfare Regiment took part in a Remembrance Day ceremony, honouring the fallen within the Canadian Armed Forces.

On this particular Remembrance Day, we came together in the middle of a Field Training Exercise to show support for veterans both past and present. The Commanding Officer of the Regiment issued an order for a tactical pause, and in a formed group, we marched to a designated location to participate in a small ceremony of remembrance.

The ceremony included members of all ranks, from junior soldiers to senior officers. Leading up to this moment, our days were filled with hectic and tireless training. Soldiers and officers were working both day and night attempting to perform the ‘Sense’ function on the battlefield that could detect an enemy presence via electromagnetic outputs. This ceremony on November 11^th offered a moment of peaceful silence, allowing us to reflect on those who have served our country, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

A eulogy was read aloud on Clement Hill, where the regiment observed an erected memorial cross that was decorated by a junior soldier, allowing the Regiment to overlook the Mattawa Plains. The words spoken by the padre carried great weight of those who served before us. As a collective group, we came to a catharsis on what this somber day means, and the individual decisions that brought us to proudly enrol in the Canada Armed Forces: We dawned the uniform to defend Canadians at home and abroad. In keeping with Remembrance Day tradition, members joined in a moment of silence to acknowledge those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Whilst The Last Post played softly in the background, a sense of mourning washed over the group for the ones we have lost on past battlefields. But in that moment of mourning, other emotions carried through, such as pride and resolve. And in the last musical note, we all came to the mental conclusion that we have a duty to carry on the legacy of those before us, and strive for perfection, even in the midst of hardship.

Typically, Remembrance Day ceremonies are celebrated in dress uniform, where military parades are performed with crisp drill movements in view the public’s eye. But there is something to be said for field ceremonies. As soldiers, we stood overlooking the Mattawa Plains tired, cold, and away from home. It was a stark reminder of the importance of coming together, belonging to one unit.

21 Electronic Warfare Regiment stood as family, despite the hustle and bustle of soldiering the days prior. When the ceremony ended, we were ordered back to our stations, to carry on with the Field Training Exercise. We marched back to our positions, remembering those from the past, and the same sentiment remains now, and always: Duty before self.

21 Electronic Warfare Regiment is a unit from the 6 Canadian Combat Support Brigade, and the 5^th Canadian Division.