As I am the director of the Fredericton Concert and Marching Band (as of this past June), I was going to be involved in the Remembrance Day parade and ceremonies whether I really wanted to be or not.  As a member of the band from about age 12-19, I’ve sure participated in my fair share of Remembrance Day parades!  But it had been over 15 years since I’d been directly involved like that… last year was the first time I was a part of it again, and at that time I was still “just” a band member, not the director.

So it was with a fair bit of nerves that I went about my morning duties.  Would I catch the parade commander’s cues to march off the colours?  Would we be in the right place at the right time?  Would I be able to hear them announce the hymns?

Adding to my nerves was the fact that this service would probably be more watched than usual, thanks to the idiots who vandalized the cenotaph a few days ago.  This is, by the way, the official provincial cenotaph, not just the local one.  Here’s a great video by Charles Leblanc showing the damage:

But in the end, Remembrance Day isn’t about me, is it?  I gathered up my guts, had a great chat with the parade commander before we started who set me straight with a cheery smile, and off we went, without a hitch.  Well, no major ones anyway, but if you didn’t notice then I won’t tell. 

Flipper and Pomme came to watch, of course.  Here in New Brunswick, Remembrance Day is an official holiday — schools are closed (not that it makes a difference for us, but for most families it certainly does), offices are closed (so hubby was able to take the kids), most stores are closed.   Apparently there were about 5000 people in attendance, and 300 soldiers in the parade.  That’s young soldiers, not counting the elderly vets who were also out in great numbers.

Flipper took a great video of the parade arriving at the cenotaph.  I’m so grateful to him, since I never get to actually see parades anymore!

Not bad for an 11-year-old with a cheap videocam, eh?

Charles also captured a nice picture of the spectators showing Flipper (in the grey jacket with yellow shirt) and Pomme with daddy (sitting down beside Flipper).

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