By CWO Stacy Merriam, MB, CD (Ret'd)
The Government of Canada marked the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II with a national commemorative ceremony held in Ottawa at the Christ Church Cathedral. I had the privilege of being selected to represent the Canadian Military Engineers Association.
The ceremony began with a memorial parade in Ottawa, consisting of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Following the parade, approximately 600 invitees attended the ceremony, including government officials and representatives of organizations with whom Her Majesty had a close connection such as charities and military regiments.
The Christ Church Cathedral, the Anglican Cathedral in the nation’s capital, became the Cathedral of the Canadian Armed Forces Anglican Military Ordinariate in 1979. It was here where the commemorative services were held for the Queen Mother in 2002 as well as his Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh in 2021.
Recognizing the importance to have representation, Veteran Affairs Canada, working with History and Heritage, provided an opportunity for 18 veterans from across Canada to represent their respective units or organizations. Gathering in the lobby of the Delta Hotel, we were hustled to the church where we received a very formal briefing on the conduct expected while within the church. Upon gaining entry, we were presented with an opportunity to sign the Book of Condolence before being ushered to our seats.
I would like to thank Veterans Affairs Canada for organizing and putting this together, as well as the Canadian Military Engineers Association for the honour and privilege to attend the ceremony.
Pictured in the photo is the veteran contingent.
From left to right:
Capt Alexander Cruickshank (Ret’d) – King’s Own Calgary Regiment; Craig Anhorn – Governor General’s Horse Guards; LCol Frances Villiger (Ret’d)– Calgary Highlanders; Sgt Megan Cassell (Ret’d) – Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada; Cpl John Perkins (Ret’d) – 48th Highlanders of Canada; Maj Brian Tracey – Canadian Grenadier Guards; Capt Michel Pelletier (Ret’d) – Régiment de la Chaudière; LCol Robert Duda (Ret’d) – Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry Highlanders; Jean-Guy Perron – Royal 22e Régiment (back row, right of Chief Wendy Jocko); CWO Stacy Merriam (Ret’d) – Canadian Military Engineers Association (back row, left of MVA); LCol Jeanette Chau – Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery; Graham Wiseman – The North (New Brunswick) Regiment Association; WO Brian Prairie (Ret’d)– Métis National Council; Gordon MacEachern – Army, Navy, Air Force Veterans (ANAVETS); Chief Wendy Jocko – Aboriginal Veterans Authoctones (right of MVA); Tim O’Loan – Assembly of First Nations (back row, right of MVA); Larry Murray – Royal Canadian Legion; Bruce Julian – Royal Canadian Legion; Paul Ledwell – Deputy Minister, Veterans Affairs Canada (back row, 4th in from left); The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay – Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defense (center of photo).
Absent from photo: Capt Dave Hughes (Ret’d)– Royal New Brunswick Regiment