Remembrance Day Sentry Program expands to mark 25th anniversary year

November 6, 2023 – Defence Stories

Since 1998, the Remembrance Day Sentry Programs has publicly recognized outstanding Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members from both the Regular Force and the Reserve Force, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), for their dedication, professionalism and performance in service to Canada. In recognition of the program’s 25^th anniversary, the number of participants has been increased from seven to 21, and there will now be two teams instead of one.

Eleven members have been honoured with the important duty of standing vigil at this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial, and 10 additional members will be participating for the first time in the Remembrance Day ceremony held at the National Military Cemetery, at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa. The Chief of the Defence Staff, General Wayne Eyre, approved expansion of the program, which now recognizes a more inclusive selection of CAF members from a wider range of diverse trades. New to the program are a Canadian Ranger Sentry, an Eagle Staff Bearer and two musicians, a Piper and a Bugler, in each team.

Program participants have the distinction of being chosen from all those nominated across Canada based on criteria that includes deployment experience, community involvement, physical fitness and their record of conduct.

The following personnel will form the vigil at the National War Memorial:

• Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) Sentry Commander: Sergeant Jonathan R. Buckle, CFB Petawawa
• Royal Canadian Navy Sentry: Sailor 1^st Class Martin Joseph Chenier, HMCS Charlottetown
• Canadian Army Sentry: Corporal Ka Chun “Kevin” Wong, CFB Kingston
• Royal Canadian Air Force Sentry: Master Corporal Brennan R. Rowland, CFB Winnipeg
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sentry: Sergeant Rick Sinclair, Moose Lake RCMP Detachment
• Nursing Officer: Captain Kathryn F. Brett, Canadian Forces Environmental Medicine Establishment, Toronto, Ont.
• Special Guest to the Chief of the Defence Staff: Master Corporal Jean-François Lavergne, CFB Valcartier
• Canadian Ranger Sentry: Private Chasity L. Bluecoat, 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol
• Eagle Staff Bearer: Sergeant Sylvain Leblanc, CFB Shilo
• Musician – Bugler: Master Corporal James C. Langridge, CFB Winnipeg
• Musician – Piper: Warrant Officer Joshua C. McFarlane, Central Band, Ottawa.

The following personnel will form the vigil at the National Military Cemetery in Ottawa:

• CANSOFCOM Sentry Commander: Sergeant Jonathan Dalpé, CFB Petawawa
• Royal Canadian Navy Sentry: Sailor 1^st Class Michael W. Townshend-James, CFB Esquimalt
• Canadian Army Sentry: Private Elodie Cameron, CFB Valcartier
• Royal Canadian Air Force Sentry: Corporal Jorgen A. Gleerup, CFB Esquimalt
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police Sentry: Sergeant Kim Chamberland, Ottawa
• Canadian Forces Health Services Sentry: Sergeant Rene J. Villeneuve, CFB Edmonton
• Canadian Ranger Sentry: Master Corporal Randall E. Chuckry, 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol
• Eagle Staff Bearer: Master Sailor Tristan Harris, Maritime Forces Pacific Formation (MARPAC)
• Musician – Bugler: Master Sailor Emily G. Bellman, Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) Band
• Musician – Piper: Master Corporal Alex Devitt, Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, Vancouver.

In the days leading up to Remembrance Day, the 21 participants have a full schedule of activities, including visits to National Defence Headquarters, the Canadian War Museum, the National Military Cemetery and the RCMP Musical Ride Stables. Yet within the excitement of travel to the nation’s capital and the pride of having been chosen for the program, the gravity of the occasion is never forgotten.

“I’m deeply honoured to sound the Last Post and Rouse in the nation’s capital this year,” bugler Master Corporal James Langridge said. “It’s extremely meaningful to me to assist the nation in our remembrance of the reality of war and its cost to the people of Canada."