SEATLLE, Wash. -- Four members of the Western Air Defense Sector’s Canadian Detachment represented the Canadian Armed Forces during the Veterans and Remembrance Day pregame hockey ceremony Nov. 11, 2021, where the Seattle Kraken hosted the Anaheim Ducks at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.
Royal Canadian Air Force Capt. Janine Girard, an air battle manager assigned to the 225th Air Defense Squadron, marked the Canadian Remembrance Day portion of the program by reciting poem “In Flanders Fields.”
Coinciding with the United States Veterans Day, Remembrance Day is observed by Commonwealth Nations to honor armed forces members who have died in the line of duty. A red flower known as a “poppy” is worn on the lapel and is inspired by the opening lines of the poem “In Flanders Fields” which itself is written by Canadian Physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. The poem and the poppy were first used to commemorate Armistice Day and the cessation of hostilities at the end of the First World War. They now symbolizes fallen soldiers in all conflicts.
Along with Girard, three other members of the WADS Canadian Detachment were given the opportunity to represent Canada at the game. They belong to a contingent of 13 Canadians who work alongside their Washington Air National Guard counterparts in conducting the bi-national NORAD mission that defend America’s skies 24/7 as part of Operation Noble Eagle.
In Flanders Fields
by Lt. Col. John McCrae
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.