Ottawa 2018

At the airport I realized I forgot my earbuds in the car so I had to buy some new ones.

This is my favourite photo I took that relates to the sacrifices of Canada in WWI. I was very surprised to show up and see that this memorial is guarded 24/7. It reminded me of landmarks in England that are protected by royal guards. This memorial does a really good job of commemorating the sacrifices of WWI by having it placed in the heart of the capital of our nation.

This was my favourite photo today because although we didn’t get to see the House Of Commons, we did get to see the Senate which was a very surreal experience.

Today I learned about a lot about tanks with the help of my buddy Lucas Koop. He knows a lot about the different ammunition and told me the different sizes and terminology used for them. After that we looked at the vast display of tanks and compared there barrel sizes to see what shells they fired.

This was probably the most productive plain ride I have ever taken. I got so much work done I was editing photos for like three hours. Just ask Maggie she watched all of it behind me.

This was my favourite video of today because if I am not mistaken, my great grandfather flew in one of these planes - an Avro Lancaster - in WWII. I believe he was a communications officer onboard the plane and unfortunately his plane was shot down in battle. It was really cool to see one of these planes in person, and to be able to have a connection to it.

The artifact in this video is an air-raid siren. I chose this is as my artifact as it basically encompasses everything to do with the Diefenbunker. It is used to signal a nuclear bombing and the point of the bunker is to protect from nuclear bombing/radiation.

To me, this photo is great for a lot of reasons. It depicts so much about us, and honestly makes me really happy. The wreath is titled “Youth Of Canada”, and for my fellow classmates to be holding it is absolutely perfect; we embody that title. We are the ones that are learning, and remembering the sacrifice given not too many generations ago. The wreath is a physical symbol of our appreciation, and as the youth of Canada it is our job to never forget, and eventually pass on the title to the next generation.

Group of veterans/friends gather at the Vimy Ridge anniversary ceremony 

This photo represmtes Canadian identity in the sense that it is an image of the monument “Reconciliation”. To me, Canada isn’t a nation that wants to fight wars just because. We are a nation that want to keep peace, and that’s what this monument is all about. As a Canadian I am proud to say we are a peaceful country that doesn’t wish to engage in bloody fighting around the world.

This is the Ross Rifle. It was produced and used by Canadians from 1903 - 1918. It was used during WW1 by hundreds of thousands of soldiers and was just a pretty standard issue rifle. It was a .303 inch calibre single bolt action rifle, as obviously automatic rifles weren’t exactly mainstream at this point in history. 

Throughout this trip, I learned what it really meant to be Canadian. The idea of Canadian identity is one that can be explored via various accounts. For me, it was through this program, and by learning about Canada’s nationalism shown in the war. I’ve always been proud to be Canadian, it just seems as though our country is so calm and collected compared to others such as our southern neighbours. This really is a special country, and I’m lucky to call it home.  To me, to be a Canadian is almost exactly what you would imagine. Even though Canada is perceived through a stereotypical eye, the characteristics portrayed through those stereotypes really ring true. I feel as though Canadians all share the same goal, we legitimately want our country to stay a great one , and for our lives to be the best ones possible, and if that means eagerly going off to war, then so be it. You see, Canadian identity itself hasn’t really changed that much since the First World War. We’ve always been the underdog country with big heart, willing to do whatever it takes to help not just ourselves, but others out in times of struggle. That is why discovering Canadian identity through this week-long experience is one of the most enriching ways to do so.

Today was a chill day. We went to the mall in the morning and later that night we had our ‘dance’, if you can even call it that...

We had a really laid back day today. We had only just arrived in the middle of the night so we definitely weren’t eager to get going. This picture is from when me and a bunch of other PLP students were playing a game of Monopoly. I hadn’t played in a while so it was nice to play a game that wasn’t on a screen for once. The game went on for nearly two hours and I got way too heated. Melika ended up winning after she bankrupt me. Anyways, it was a good time.

This is an image of two of the many tanks that were on display at the Canadian War Museum. Me and Lucas were very interested in these tanks and found the technology really cool. We saw many different tanks, ranging from tin box’s to the heavily fortified steel machines of today. 

This is a picture of Marshall in the tunnel leading in to the Diefenbunker. It was very cold, dark and overall just had a solemn vibe to it. However, that’s not to say that I didn’t find the bunker interesting. We toured the 100,000 square foot underground compound and learned all about its intended use. We learned how prime minster Diefenbaker refused to ever stay in the bunker as his family wasn’t allowed to stay in case of nuclear warfare. None of this was an issue though as there was never a need to stay in the bunker.

I like to think I would want to go to war, but if I actually think about it logically, I’m too much of a pansy. I’d worry about how I smell, all the lice in my hair, all the ripe odours of the trenches. So no, I wouldn’t go to war. However, that’s not to say I wouldn’t become a part of the modern day military. I’m actually very interested in the idea of flying a fighter jet and I’m really in to the Air Force. Although I find the military really cool, I doubt I will end up serving but I will always have respect for those courageous enough to enlist. 

Canada’s role in WW1 will always be headlined by the victory captured atop Vimy Ridge. Though as a nation we contributed much more, Vimy Ridge encapsulates all that Canada meant to the war. The nationhood, patriotism, and bravery shown at Vimy Ridge perfectly embraces Canada’s courageous persona.

Canada’s role in World War 1 was to fight against the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire). All of this began in a series of events that unfolded one after another. Basically, Britain declared war on Germany after they invaded Belgium, and as a result of Canada being a part of the Commonwealth, we joined as well. For most of the war, Canada fought alongside its allies (Britain, France, Algeria, etc.) as Canada didn’t really have an immense number of troops, nor were they the most trained to be fair. But Canada was as much invested in the war as everyone else, whether it was on the front lines or in the factories of Toronto, Canadas role in the war isn’t one to dismiss.

Today I learned so much from this veteran, so much more than what he tells about WWI in this clip. This veteran worked for the United Nations and therefore was a peacekeeper. He went on various peacekeeping/making missions around the world, including Bosnia, Haiti, Africa, and many more. He told us stories from his tours like when he had to fend off angry Bosnian loggers who had chainsaws, or the time he saved a babies life by bringing it to shelter after he found it trying to wake up his dead mother.

It is clear that this man has seen a lot. It’s with these kind of people that you just need to sit back and absorb as much knowledge as possible. He was such a nice guy, so kind. He even let me and Lucas go in front of him in the dinner line for it was an old army tradition to be last in line.  

Commemorative wreaths placed at War Memorial 

 The most exciting thing that happened today was the purchase of some grey sweatpants I had been looking for. I walked in to Simons and went to the men’s section expecting these to be there, but I couldn’t find them so I asked the staff where I would be able to find them and she directed me to a section with a shrine to Champion™️ where I found these pants. Anyways, that was my story from today.

This is the sound of the vending machine!

The Terry Fox Centre has welcomed more than 130,000 kids from around the country! Many famous people have passed by the center such as Bill Gates, former Governor General David Johnston, and Justin Trudeau, the last time being in 2016.

We often played ping pong in the rec room if we had free time

Avro Lancaster bomber, actually used in WWII but I wanted to include it.

This page along with the next couple include photos that while not being my best work, capture the essence of Canada’s role in WWI. They are the ones with the most meaning.

This is a model of a ship, the “St-Louis”. It was full of Jews, trying to flee Nazi Germany. They travelled all the way from Germany to Cuba, only to be denied. They then tried the U.S. and Canada and were denied entry in to both as well.

The museum had a ramp hallway leading down towards the gallery full of machines. The hallway was lined in paintings and was wide and made of concrete so they could transport the tanks and other machines down in to the gallery. This is the barrel of a tank that shoots a 155 mm round, the biggest of any tank we saw today! (left)

MToday was very busy. We visited Parliament, and were given a tour inside. It was really cool to finally see firsthand the most famous building in Canada. Knowing that there was a meeting going on in the House Of Commons as we were in the building was quite surreal. One of the coolest rooms in the building in my opinion at least is the library. It looks like something straight out of Hogwarts. It had a super high ceiling and a meticulously put together system of book shelving. It was a super quiet place so even the sound of my camera shutter was disruptive!

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