Figuring to get down there for 9:30 and Im doing my stand at 9:52 (today Oct 24) Just doing you thing in the time that suits you. Try to bring a flag and hold it near your heart or still in front of you and face the monument flag. (suggesting) Apparently the PMO (at this time 7:00) has not allowed the guard back on duty. They do most certainly want to get back there! . . Now... A story of news you may not have heard from one of the guards. . News from day 2 - but not quite the stories from Anderson Cooper on CCN in Ottawa, or Peter Mansbridge or Rex Murphys commentary. While their efforts at informing the public is needed, I (and others) cringe at the errors made in those reports. Some of the errors may appear to be details to many, but sometimes details matter. A long day and the question asked by the troops - when do we go back ? For that we wait for the word; we know our orders, we just wait to be told to cross the line of departure and secure what we have been tasked to do. As soon as the site is secure and ready, we will be back. Troops are ready and being back on duty is part of how soldiers cope and share the grief of such tragic events - that it be in Ottawa, St-Jean or abroad. In the early afternoon, we were at the War Memorial, but more importantly at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, as the Minister and CDS laid a wreath on the site where a fallen soldier had laid a day earlier. The site where he fell still marked by the blood he lost for this country. During the day, the troops had visits from those that matter to us: the Minister, the Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army. Visits that were welcome. At mid-afternoon, with a police escort helping to get them through the traffic and the security, the family arrived at an unusually deserted National War Memorial - still cornered off by the police tape. They were assisted to the area close to the Tomb - but not too close - and the soldier that stoop with Cpl Cirillo on duty the day before, laid flowers on the Tomb on their behalf. A sad but necessary moment with few present. These above events did not make the news this evening - and I am happy with that as it avoided all distortion from reality by taking the time they needed to unfold without worrying about fitting into a 30 second sound bite or news clip - but they marked the day of those that were closest to this tragedy. All these happened far from the media, almost in private, and for those for that were there it was important to them. Thank you so very much to the Ottawa Police Service for their assistance, professionalism and support at this time. To the Ottawa Paramedics that responded - one of whom I know - thank you for what you have done. To those bystanders that quickly reacted, civilians and military, your efforts were not in vain as they showed you cared while other decided to take pictures ! Thank you to the Canadian public for the expressions of support that it be in Ottawa, Hamilton or across the country; To those that work for and with me - thank you; and to my friends that keep sending me words of encouragements - thank you. They all count. _ML
Posted on: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 11:16:57 +0000
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