Looking for Canadian Veterans

Montreal, 1909. Motivated by a powerful sense of patriotism, veteran Arthur H.D. Hair moved heaven and earth to ensure that an indigent old soldier be buried with dignity. It was the launch of an incredible organisation that now boasts 9 branches across the country.

Over the past 100 years, the Last Post Fund has never deviated from the principles of dignity, compassion and respect that presided over its birth. In co-operation with Veterans Affairs Canada, it ensures that no veteran be deprived, for want of funds, of funeral and burial services that befit those who have served their country, in wartime or in peace.

A Special Invitation

According to Veterans Affairs Canada, there are actually 197,450 veterans from the Second World War and the Korean War. On the occasion of its Centennial, the Last Post Fund calls all veterans from that era as well as Canadian Forces veterans, and their families, to its majestic annual commemorative ceremony in honour of their comrades in arms with whom they served our country.

Sunday, 21 June 2009
From 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
At the National Field of Honour
701 Donegani Avenue
Pointe-Claire, Québec

On this special day, the National Field of Honour, the only cemetery in Canada entirely reserved for veterans, will be designated as a National Historic Site by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. Please consult the program page for all details pertaining to this ceremony.

Calling all Veterans

You are a veteran? You know of veterans? You are a member of a veterans’ family? If so, the gates of the National Field of Honour await you all on June 21! We hope to welcome many of you!

—ooOOoo—

Scenario for the Commemorative Ceremony

Last Post Fund National Field of Honour

Sunday 21 June 2009, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

• The Band, the Guard of Honour and the Legion Colour Parties march off to the Currie Circle.
  
  
• Arrival of Guest of Honour, the Honourable Pierre Claude Nolin, senator, and of special guests.
  
  
• General Salute to the Guest of Honour.
  
  
• Inspection of the Guard of Honour, the Legion Colour Parties and the Band by Guest of Honour.
  
  
• National anthem O Canada played by the Band.
  
  
• Presentation of the Hon. Pierre Claude Nolin by Lou Cuppens, National President of the Last Post Fund.
  
  
• Address by the Hon. Pierre Claude Nolin.
  
  
• Prayers.
  
  
• “Last Post” played by the bugler.
  
  
• “Lament” played by the piper.
  
  
• Minute of silence to honour deceased Canadian and Allied Veterans.
  
  
• “Réveil” played by the bugler.
  
  
• Binyon’s poem For the Fallen read by the Royal Canadian Legion Québec Command President.
  
  
• Reading of a historical summary of the National Field of Honour.
  
  
• Designation of the National Field of Honour as a National Historic Site.
  
  
• Unveiling of a commemorative plaque and reading of related text.
  
  
• Parade through the cemetery with the piper, followed by the Legion Colour Parties.
  
  
• First wreath placed by Guest of Honour; others by dignitaries, associations and the public.
  
  
• The national anthem played by the Band.
  
  
• General Salute to the Guest of Honour.
  
  
• The Hon. Pierre Claude Nolin meets the Silver Cross Mother and veterans from Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue Hospital.
  
  

• End of ceremony.

Directions to the National Field of Honour

The Last Post Fund National Field of Honour is located behind the Lakeview Memorial Gardens Cemetery (701 Donegani Avenue, Pointe Claire, in Québec).

For the June 21 commemorative ceremony, guests must leave their car at the Beaconsfield train station on Elm Avenue. Bus shuttles will take them to the National Field of Honour.

From Montreal:

1. Take Highway 20 West (from Montreal)
2. Take the St-Charles Blvd Exit (Exit 48)
3. Turn right onto St. Charles Boulevard
4. Turn right onto Amherst Road
5. Turn right onto Elm Avenue
6. Parking at the Pointe-Claire train station.

7. Shuttle bus service to the cemetery.