Remembrance Day Sentry Program

MORE INFORMATION :

• Past Sentries
• Eligibility and Selection
• Photo Archive

Each year on 11 November, deserving members of the Canadian Forces and RCMP are selected to stand sentry at the National War Memorial during the national Remembrance Day parade.  Since 1998, the selection of these members and what takes place in the days just prior to the parade has been developed into the Remembrance Day Sentry Program.  This page is to highlight some of the features of the program, and to acknowledge previous sentries who have been selected.

HOW IT BEGAN: The Remembrance Day Sentry Program was initiated based on a suggestion by MCpl D.S. Barclay, currently of 417 Sqn Cold Lake.  In 1996, when the suggestion of a Sentry Program was first put forward, Cpl Barclay was serving at 410 Sqn Cold Lake.  He is a proud member of the CF, coming from a family rich in military history.  His great-grandfather was a doctor and surgeon in World War I, and was a friend to LCol John McRae, the author of Flanders Fields.  His great-grandmother was a nurse in World War I.  MCpl Barclay's grandfather served his country during both World War II and the Korean War.  He also has a number of aunts and uncles who have served Canada.  MCpl Barclay joined the CF in December 1981, and he takes pride in his numerous accomplishments on guards of honour that he has participated in.  A summary of his service may be seen by clicking here. (link to Guard of Honour history for MCpl Barclay)

Following MCpl Barclay's suggestion in 1996, CWO Guilbault who was the WCWO at the time, brought the suggestion forward to NDHQ with his arrival as the CAS CWO.  The merits of the program were plain to see, and before long, the suggestion became a reality.  For the first year of the program, Cpl DS Barclay was appointed the Air Force Sentry.

THE PROGRAM: A total of six personnel comprise the Remembrance Day Sentry.  Three Junior Non-Commissioned Officers represent each the Navy, Army and Air Force.  A fourth sentry from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will represent his or her organization.  As well, there is a Nursing Officer to represent the Nursing Sisters, and finally a PO2/Sgt as the Sentry Commander.  Selection of the sentries is done by the RCMP for the RCMP sentry, by CFMG HQ for the Nursing Officer, and one member each from ADM-HR(Mil) and the three environmental commands.   Each of the members selected for the program are permitted to have one guest accompany them on the trip.  Once each of the principle organizations have made their selection, the names are turned over to the NDHQ CWO who is the coordinator for the Remembrance Day Sentry Program.

The entire program normally takes place over a three-day period.  In addition to Remembrance Day parade on 11 Nov, followed by attendance at the Silver Cross Mother's Luncheon that is hosted by the CDS, sentries and their guests will spend one day touring key sites in the nation's capital.  While the tour schedule may change from year to year, it normally includes a tour of the Parliament Buildings, Rideau Hall, attendance at a luncheon hosted by the CFCWO, and a tour of the RCMP National Operations Centre.  In the past, sentries have visited the headquarters and stables of the RCMP's Musical Ride troop, been hosted at a hockey game by the Ottawa 67's, and visited the National War Museum.  A day is also normally set aside for the sentries and their guests to visit other sights of interest, or in some cases, just enjoy the culture of the downtown core of Ottawa and the By-Ward Market area. 

Not everyone will have the opportunity to participate in this program during their career, however from those that were fortunate enough to have been selected in the past, a common comment is how much of a distinct honour and gratifying experience it was to have been part of the program.