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jj · 11-04-2008, 10:32 PM

nice stuff
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Tribute to World War I dead arrives in Toronto

Nov 04, 2008 08:03 PM
Lorrayne Anthony
THE CANADIAN PRESS

Commuters in Canada's largest city paused in reflection and remembrance Tuesday as the names of some 68,000 Canadians who died in the First World War flickered across an outdoor wall of Toronto's towering City Hall.

The nocturnal, outdoor social gathering was prompted by the hi-tech visuals of "Vigile 1914-1918 Vigil," a dusk-to-dawn electronic tribute marking 90 years since the end of the First World War.

The tribute is scheduled to continue in several Canadian cities every night until Remembrance Day next Tuesday.

Rekindling the memory of those who made the "supreme sacrifice" in the First World War gets more vital with each passing day, Toronto Mayor David Miller told the gathered crowd.

He said Canadians can't pay high enough tribute to those 68,000 war dead, who "never returned from fighting those conflicts so we might live in peace and freedom."

Among the politicians, soldiers and a small crowd of civilians who gathered for the event was Fergy Brown, former mayor of the old west Toronto suburb of York.

Brown, who fought in the Second World War as part of the Allied effort's Bomber Command, said he's been to many a vigil for fallen soldiers.

This one, he said, was different.

"This is the first time I remember we've focused on people who served in the First World War."

The high-tech visual commemoration was conceived by actor R. H. Thomson and lighting designer Martin Conboy, who – together with Canada's National History Society – raised money to finance the cross-Canada project.

After kicking off in London under the watchful eye of the Queen, the vigil made its way westward, making its Canadian debut in Halifax and Fredericton before hitting Toronto, Ottawa, Regina and Edmonton.

As the sun set over historic St. Paul's Anglican Church in downtown Halifax, about 50 local and provincial dignitaries gathered under a crescent moon to officially begin the vigil in Canada.

Former Nova Scotia premier John Hamm told the crowd that each of the 68,000 soldiers lost on the cratered killing fields of Belgium and France was a "fallen hero."

"Each one is a reminder to all of us how blessed we are to live in a peaceful country with an abundance of rights and freedoms,`` Hamm said as darkness fell over the leaf-strewn Grand Parade, the public square between the church and Halifax City Hall.

"The bodies of these brave soldiers were never returned home ... They were buried on blood-soaked battlefields or in crowded cemeteries a world away."

As a lone piper played a mournful dirge, a pair of projectors beamed the message "Lest we forget" on the white facade of the 258-year-old church before the names of the soldiers began appearing and fading away.

"It's a very unique way for Canada to remember those who made such a great sacrifice in the defence of their country," Hamm said earlier.

"We must not forget the promise we made to veterans – that we would not forget."

Long before the sun set in the Maritimes, the vigil played out on a wall in London's celebrated Trafalgar Square, with the Queen on hand to honour Canadian soldiers who died in the First World War.

The Duke of Edinburgh was also among those who gathered to watch the international debut of the Canadian-made tribute.

The ceremony began with darkness falling on London amid the piercing notes of "The Last Post," played by a lone bugler.

"Long may we all remember the multitude of Canadians, and indeed all of those who laid down their lives to defend the lives of others," the Queen, a maple leaf brooch on her coat, told the crowd.

After her speech, she took time to meet with a gathering of Canadian veterans and active-duty soldiers who have completed tours of duty in Afghanistan.

Jim Wright – Canada's high commissioner to the U.K. – described the tribute in London as a touching moment.

"It was extremely moving watching the names scroll down very slowly ... there was absolute silence," Wright said.

"It was a passing of a generation from veterans to the youth of today."

11-04-2008, 10:32 PM	#2
jj Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ontario, canada Posts: 5,265	Re: Nov.11 - Remembering nice stuff _____________________________________ Tribute to World War I dead arrives in Toronto Nov 04, 2008 08:03 PM Lorrayne Anthony THE CANADIAN PRESS Commuters in Canada's largest city paused in reflection and remembrance Tuesday as the names of some 68,000 Canadians who died in the First World War flickered across an outdoor wall of Toronto's towering City Hall. The nocturnal, outdoor social gathering was prompted by the hi-tech visuals of "Vigile 1914-1918 Vigil," a dusk-to-dawn electronic tribute marking 90 years since the end of the First World War. The tribute is scheduled to continue in several Canadian cities every night until Remembrance Day next Tuesday. Rekindling the memory of those who made the "supreme sacrifice" in the First World War gets more vital with each passing day, Toronto Mayor David Miller told the gathered crowd. He said Canadians can't pay high enough tribute to those 68,000 war dead, who "never returned from fighting those conflicts so we might live in peace and freedom." Among the politicians, soldiers and a small crowd of civilians who gathered for the event was Fergy Brown, former mayor of the old west Toronto suburb of York. Brown, who fought in the Second World War as part of the Allied effort's Bomber Command, said he's been to many a vigil for fallen soldiers. This one, he said, was different. "This is the first time I remember we've focused on people who served in the First World War." The high-tech visual commemoration was conceived by actor R. H. Thomson and lighting designer Martin Conboy, who – together with Canada's National History Society – raised money to finance the cross-Canada project. After kicking off in London under the watchful eye of the Queen, the vigil made its way westward, making its Canadian debut in Halifax and Fredericton before hitting Toronto, Ottawa, Regina and Edmonton. As the sun set over historic St. Paul's Anglican Church in downtown Halifax, about 50 local and provincial dignitaries gathered under a crescent moon to officially begin the vigil in Canada. Former Nova Scotia premier John Hamm told the crowd that each of the 68,000 soldiers lost on the cratered killing fields of Belgium and France was a "fallen hero." "Each one is a reminder to all of us how blessed we are to live in a peaceful country with an abundance of rights and freedoms,`` Hamm said as darkness fell over the leaf-strewn Grand Parade, the public square between the church and Halifax City Hall. "The bodies of these brave soldiers were never returned home ... They were buried on blood-soaked battlefields or in crowded cemeteries a world away." As a lone piper played a mournful dirge, a pair of projectors beamed the message "Lest we forget" on the white facade of the 258-year-old church before the names of the soldiers began appearing and fading away. "It's a very unique way for Canada to remember those who made such a great sacrifice in the defence of their country," Hamm said earlier. "We must not forget the promise we made to veterans – that we would not forget." Long before the sun set in the Maritimes, the vigil played out on a wall in London's celebrated Trafalgar Square, with the Queen on hand to honour Canadian soldiers who died in the First World War. The Duke of Edinburgh was also among those who gathered to watch the international debut of the Canadian-made tribute. The ceremony began with darkness falling on London amid the piercing notes of "The Last Post," played by a lone bugler. "Long may we all remember the multitude of Canadians, and indeed all of those who laid down their lives to defend the lives of others," the Queen, a maple leaf brooch on her coat, told the crowd. After her speech, she took time to meet with a gathering of Canadian veterans and active-duty soldiers who have completed tours of duty in Afghanistan. Jim Wright – Canada's high commissioner to the U.K. – described the tribute in London as a touching moment. "It was extremely moving watching the names scroll down very slowly ... there was absolute silence," Wright said. "It was a passing of a generation from veterans to the youth of today."