Heritage Structure | Chapter 9 – Days of Commemoration

POLICY

1. The following days are commemorated by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF):
   1. Remembrance Day – 11 November;
   2. Battle of Atlantic Sunday – first Sunday in May; and
   3. Battle of Britain Sunday – the Sunday falling within the period 15 to 21 September.
2. Other days may be commemorated by units as appropriate. In the National Capital Region, the following additional events are commemorated:
   1. Vimy Ridge Day – 9 April;
   2. Korean War Veteran’s Day – 27 July;
   3. National Peacekeepers’ Day – Sunday closest to 9 August; and
   4. National Aboriginal Day – 21 June.
3. Care shall be taken to include veterans and other former members of the military "family" in all commemoration events organized by the CAF.
4. The CAF will support veterans and other organizations interested in initiating ceremonies observing military anniversaries by providing support within available resources.
5. The participation of CAF members on memorial parades is subject to Queen's Regulations and Orders, Article 33.01.

REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES

6. A commanding officer (CO) shall order memorial parades for all ranks to take place on 11 November, Remembrance Day. A CO may cancel the parades if sufficient CAF members from the unit are involved in a comparable ceremony, such as the National Ceremony in Ottawa.
7. In Her Majesty's Canadian (HMC) Ships. When parades and ceremonies cannot be held in accordance with paragraph 6, a period of two minutes of silence commencing at 1100 hours (local time) on 11 November shall be observed, if feasible. HMC Ships in company with ships of Commonwealth or foreign navies shall observe Remembrance Day by ceremonies arranged mutually with ships present.
8. Flying of Flags. Flags shall be flown at half-mast at all defence establishments from sunrise until sunset on Remembrance Day, unless half-masting occurs at the National War Memorial or a place where remembrance is being observed, then half-masting can occur at 1100 or according to the prescribed order of service, until sunset.
9. Gun Salutes. Gun salutes shall be fired at designated saluting stations, as prescribed in Chapter 13, Section 2, paragraphs 9 and 17.

BATTLE OF ATLANTIC SUNDAY

10. The national ceremony commemorating the Battle of the Atlantic is held annually in Ottawa at the National War Memorial and is the responsibility of Commander Royal Canadian Navy.
11. Special memorial parades shall be held by naval units with invitations extended to local civic dignitaries. Members of veterans’ organizations, Navy League and Sea Cadets, and the general public shall be encouraged and invited to attend these activities.

BATTLE OF BRITAIN SUNDAY

12. The national ceremony commemorating Battle of Britain Sunday is held at the Commonwealth Air Force Memorial in Ottawa.
13. Officers commanding air units shall hold a memorial parade, or, if the size of the unit warrants, a march past, in observance of Battle of Britain Sunday. Where practicable, the ceremony shall include the laying of wreaths on war memorials and cenotaphs by senior officers.
14. Members of the Air Force Association of Canada (AFAC) and Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadrons shall be invited to participate in these ceremonies.