In Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, co-ordinated pre-game tributes honoured the two soldiers killed this week on Canadian soil — Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, gunned down on Wednesday while guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, struck in a deliberate hit-and-run in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que. on Monday.
At the RCL Branch 54 Sooke the Meat Draw began as usual at 3 p.m. At 10 to 4 the TVs were turned on by a 54/50 Ball Team member and it went to the Hockey Game and then something unusual happened. The minute of silence began and the chatter stopped. The Anthems of the U.S. and Canada began and people started to stand. O Canada was sung by the people in the Legion. It was over in a few minutes but what a tribute to those who had fallen. A completely unorchestrated silent remembrance to those who died and then the singing of O Canada by all.
Made us proud to be Canadians and proud of the Legion.
Camille Tkacz
Robert Ayotte
Sooke