The National Aboriginal Veterans Monument is located in Ottawa's Confederation Park near Canada's National War Memorial. It commemorates the wartime service and heroism of Canada's indigenous peoples. Many served with valour and distinction in World Wars I and II, the Korean War and most recently in Afghanistan, despite the historical mistreatment and lack of equality which they endure(d) in Canada.
Four warriors from different indigenous cultures stand, one facing each of the four sacred directions, surrounded by the fierce and powerful totems of Eagle, Bear, Wolf, Elk and Bison.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
--From "For the Fallen" by Laurence Binyon
LEST WE FORGET
[Photos #1 and #6 from the internet; photos #2, #3, #4 and #5 © Debra She Who Seeks, 2010]
Not only remember...but for some, learn for the first time.
ReplyDeleteHappy Veterans day
ReplyDeleteI'm a white American male and I am not sure I'd ever have anything to do with the military.
ReplyDeleteSo I can't imagine how it must be to fight for a nation that wouldn't even respect me as an equal when I got back home from fighting. Amazing statue...
What gorgeous sculpture honoring those who served. Beautiful!! Love the cute poppies, too. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteWhat an unusual sculpture.
ReplyDeleteBut yes, it's always important to remember those.
I am a veteran
ReplyDeleteI have mixed feelings
58.479 died in Vietnam
while the politicians that put us there
sat safely at home.
58,497 died for nothing
Wars are fought by the people on the bottom of the socio/economic classes
We are the cannon fodder
the Ol'Buzzard
War is hell. Remember those killed and maimed honors those who served. Ending war is our duty.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful and powerful monument. Ol'Buzzard is right about everyone at the bottom. They are always the ones that pay for the rich men's wars.
ReplyDeleteIt is important to remember those who fought for us. I had two uncles fight in the second world war. Thank you for this post!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post!
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely monument.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I've put the poppies at the spy's too. I'm only deeply disgusted by the fact that some dare to celebrate the so called veterans who butchered people around the world in modern wars (or terrorist attacks and invasions of USA and other Western countries on Iraq, Libya, Afganistan... on the day we are supposed to celebrate our brave grandfathers and ancestors who defended their very home from the villains of WW1. It makes me wanna puke. To mix heroes with disgusting killers and invaders.
ReplyDeleteNice post Debra. :)
ReplyDeleteSuch a great memorial. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the most wonderful statues that I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteI hope someday all people will be treated the same and that war becomes a thing of the past.
We could use a monument like that here in the USA (unless there is one and I'm just not aware of it.)
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting statue. My thanks go out to all people of all nations that fought for our liberty in all the wars. I honor them all in my heart.
ReplyDeleteWhat a magnificent monument in honor of the Aboriginal Veterans of Canada! I've been wearing my poppy for more than a week now. Have you ever read "Three Day Road" by Joseph Boyden? If not, get thee to a library or book store! Wow!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Debra. Thank for this. We must never forget.
ReplyDeleteVery informative post, Deb. I learned something today.
ReplyDeleteLest we forget...
ReplyDeleteAmazing statue, and yes we should never forget.
ReplyDeleteEven if I could say thank you every moment of every day to those folks who went to war (declared by others for whatever reason), it would never be enough. Being grateful doesn't seem to be enough but it is what I can do to honor those that never returned home, those that returned scarred by the encounter and those that came home, never to be the same. We are all touched by war. Those that served, handled "hot coals, bare handed". Thank you to all veterans, I am humbled.
ReplyDeleteWhat an incredible monument, Debra. Your photos are great too!
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful monument.
ReplyDeleteThat Monument is beautiful and powerful! I love it! Thank you for this post Debra! Lest We Forget!
ReplyDeleteReally interesting and marvelous statues Debar!
ReplyDeletewars are risen by some sick minds and fight by lots of innocent men who don't even know that their strings are woven by those selfish hands who will never send their own children to fight these wars
so where was our draft dodging president at? Vietnam..bone spurs didn't seem to bother him now.
ReplyDelete