Sunday, July 28, 2013

The Centennial Flame

This memorial was erected in 1967 to commemorate Canada's centennial. It was intended as a temporary memorial but due to its popularity it has become a permanent feature on Parliament Hill.
I was surprised how much heat the flame generates.




Queen Victoria Memorial

Queen Victoria is in a prominent location on Parliament Hill north of the West Block. The shield at the base of the monument has symbols for all the provinces that were part of Canada during Queen Victoria's reign.




Note the fascis on the lower plinth. This was a commonly used symbol for authority until World War II when Mussolini adopted the symbol and the name of it for his Fascist Party. That symbol is hardly ever used now.



Lester Pearson Memorial

This statue of Lester B. Pearson, Prime Minister of Canada, 22 April 1963 – 20 April 1968, is on Parliament Hill near Queen Victoria's memorial.



Saturday, July 20, 2013

Almonte War Memorial


This is the war memorial in Almonte. It's quite a nice monument and it looks well maintained.











The Almonte Train Accident Memorial

The Almonte Train Accident
December 27, 1942

Erected in the memory of those killed or injured and to the heroism and dedication of all those who responded to this disaster.

One of the worst accidents in Canadian railway history occured at this site at 8:43 P. M. on December 27, 1942. A special train carrying Canadian soldiers for overseas service struck the rear of a stationary train crowded with holiday passengers demolishing the rear coaches. The number known to have died was 39 and more than 150 were injured. Almonte citizens, military personnel, railway staff and other volunteers from Ottawa Valley towns did their utmost to help the doctors and nurses. The Almonte town hall was used as a morgue. The capacity of the local hospital was exceeded and the O'Brien Theatre, adjacent to this site was used as a first aid centre. Most of the injured were transported by train to Ottawa.

Erected December 2000
North Lanark Historical Society
Town of Mississippi Mills Millennium Committee
Ontarion Heritage Foundation
With widespread public support




Sunday, July 07, 2013

Maurice Richard 1921 - 2000

The National Capital Commission refers to this memorial to Maurice Richard as the Never Give Up memorial. The reason for this is explained in the text of the memorial's plaque, which reads:

Maurice Richard
1921-2000

A Canadian Legend

For generations of Canadians, Maurice "Rocket" Richard was the embodiment of excellence on the rinks of the National Hockey League. A fiery, talented athlete, a respected man of honour, a Canadian admired at home and abroad, the "Rocket" was much more than a hockey player.

Maurice Richard personified profoundly Canadian values such as compassion, determination and respect. With his perseverance, his legendary speed on ice, which earned him the nickname "Rocket" and his motto "Never give up," he left his mark on Canadians of all generations.

in 1944-1945, Maurice Richard became the first player in the National Hockey League to score 50 goals in 50 games in one season. He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1967 and the Privy Council in 1992.

This monument was inaugurated by the Honourable Sheila Copps, P.C., M.P., Minister of Canadian Heritage, June 27, 2001.






Maurice Richard
1921-2000

A Canadian Legend
For generations of Canadians, Maurice "Rocket" Richard was the embodiment of excellence on the rinks of the National Hockey League. A fiery, talented athlete, a respected man of hounour, a Canadian admired at home and abroad, the "Rocket" was much more than a hockey player.

Maurice Richard personified profoundly Canadian values such as compassion, determination and respect. With his perseverence, his legendary speed on ice, which earned him the nickname "Rocket," and his motto "Never give up," he left his mark on Canadians of all generations.

In 1944-1945, Maurice Richard became the first player in the National Hockey League to score 50 goals in 50 games in one season. He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 1967 and the Privy Council in 1992.

This monument was inaugurated by
The Honourable Sheila Copps, P.C., M.P.,
Minister of Canadian Heritage
June 27, 2001


Samuel de Champlain 1613

This is a monument to Samuel de Champlain in Gatineau.

The plaque reads:

Samuel de Champlain

En hommage à la force, la détermination et la vision d'un grand explorateur, ce monument souligne ses voyages périlleaux de 1613 et de 1615 sur la rivière des Outaouais et célèbre le 400e anniversaire de la première colonie française en Amérique.

Ce projet a été mis en oeuvre par le comité du renouveau de l'ile de Hull es son président et ancien conseiller municipal de la Ville de Hull, M. Claude Bonhomme.

La Ville de Gatineau remercie Domtar et le Groupe Jean-Coutu de leur appui financier.

Cette sculpture est l'oeuvre de l'artiste Jérémie Giles et a été coulée à l'Atelier du bronze d'Inverness, Québec.

Inaugurée le 30 septembre 2004 par le maire de Gatineau, M. Yves Ducharme, en présence de dignitaires et d'invités.

Ville de
Gatineau


English Translation

Samuel de Champlain

In tribute to the strength, determination and vision of a great explorer, this monument celebrates his perilous trips in 1613 and 1615 on the Ottawa River and celebrates the 400th anniversary of the first French colony in America.

This project was implemented by the Renewal Committee of the city of Hull and its president and former alderman of the City of Hull, Claude Bonhomme.

Gatineau thanks Domtar and Jean Coutu Group for their financial support.

This sculpture is the work of artist Jeremiah Giles and was cast in bronze at the Inverness Workshop in Quebec.

Inaugurated on September 30, 2004 by the mayor of Gatineau, Yves Ducharme, in the presence of dignitaries and guests.

City of
Gatineau







War Never Again

This is the War Never Again monument in Gatineau. It was dedicated in 1992. It looks like it has suffered from lack of attention since then. One of the lights at its base is missing and much of the structure is overgrown with a weed vine.

WAR NEVER AGAIN

In tribute to the men, women and children of Hull who suffered because of these wars

1914 - 1918
1939 - 1945
1950 - 1953

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old, age shall not weary them, nor their years condemn, at the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them."

May our collective memory strive for a future of peace.

Dedicated on November 11, 1992 by Mrs. Ghislaine Chénier, Acting Mayor of the City of Hull, in the presence of the Honourable Marcel Masse, Minister of National Defence, Mr. Gaston Garceau, Immediate National Past President of the Royal Canadian Legion and the members of the Hull Branch (Québec 30)."