Volume 24 www.legionnl.com 39 Newfoundland Labrador Command The Unknown lay in state for three days in the rotunda at the House of Assembly (the Provincial parliament.) Thousands of Newfoundlanders filed past the remains to pay their respects. On a cool day, threatening rain, the remains were escorted to the National War Memorial for reinterment with hundreds of personnel on parade, armed forces, police, veterans, first responders, security personnel, cadets and service groups. Thousands of spectators attended the National War Memorial. The Memorial itself had been refurbished and the bronze statues now have the same lustrous sheen they had in 1924. Appropriate prayers and speeches were delivered by the Prime Minister, the Governor General of Canada, the Lt. Gov. of Newfoundland Labrador and the Premier of Newfoundland Labrador. A 19-gun salute was provided by the reserve artillery battery and the RCAF conducted a fly past of a C130 Hercules from the Nova Scotia Search and Rescue Squadron. Soldiers from the Royal Newfoundland Regiment lowered the casket into the crypt and a temporary seal was placed on it. A permanent cover, incorporating the Forget Me Not flowers of the Province has been added. As the VIPs departed, citizens poured onto the Cenotaph area to spend a moment of reflection. The sun came out and calm prevailed. continued ...
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==