The National War Memorial Ottawa
The National War Memorial is a stunning, imposing building in the heart of Ottawa. The monument is named after the Great War and is topped with a large granite memorial arch and bronze sculptures. Designed by Vernon March, it was dedicated by King George VI in 1939. You can read about the monument’s design and the attack by Gunman Zehaf-Bibeau. Read about the monument’s history, as well as the victims of the shooting.
Before you visit the National War Memorial, make sure to visit the Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This is located in Confederation Square before the memorial itself. It is a poignant place to visit if you have been to Ottawa. The Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier honors the memory of those who died during World War I and II. There is a touching story behind the monument, which you can read by visiting the National War Memorial Ottawa.
Protesters have been staging protests in recent months. Last winter, they parked their cars on the memorial grounds, claiming they were reclaiming the site. But the protesters did not stop them. They chanted slogans and called for increased security. The Ottawa Police Service did not mention any plans to increase security at the site. The CBC’s Peter Vanier reports that protesters are not responsible for the incident.
The National War Memorial, commonly referred to as the “Response,” is a large, granite memorial arch. It was dedicated by King George VI in 1939. Originally constructed to commemorate Canadians who died during the First World War, the monument was later rededicated in 1982 to remember fallen soldiers from other wars, including the Second Boer War. It has since grown into Canada’s preeminent war memorial, and one of the 76 cenotaphs.
The monument is a symbol of diversity among warfighters, representing the multicultural nature of Canada. Its multicultural message and figures represent a unified Canadian nation, representing diversity and inclusion. While the monument is located in the nation’s capital, it serves as a visible reminder of a great truth. If we lose this vision, our nation will soon die. Fortunately, the government is making the effort to maintain the memorial.
A competition for a monument to commemorate the Great War was held in 1925. The winning entry was by British sculptor Vernon March, who drew figures of Freedom and Peace. While most war memorials are glorifying “victory,” Vernon March’s design emphasizes the willingness of Canadians to fight for peace. The building was completed in October 1938, but it took another six months for the site to be landscaped and trees planted. In the 1938 panorama, the National War Memorial dominates the urban design. A new post office is also under construction in the middle of the panorama.
Although construction began much earlier, problems arose, including site selection and the death of the sculptor. By 1939, however, the memorial was completed, and the six March brothers and sisters, along with a team of volunteers, had it on its permanent location in Washington, D.C. By 1942, the Memorial was regarded as a symbol of courage and sacrifice, and the Canadian government wanted to honor those men who had given their lives for their country.
Canadian authorities identified the gunman as Canadian citizen Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, who was known to them through email. He was known to attend a mosque in Vancouver, where his father, David Bathurst, is also a convert to Islam. David’s father believes that mental illness was likely a factor in the attack. According to a report, Zehaf-Bibeau stayed at the Ottawa Mission for 10 days before carrying out his attack.
The suspect purchased a beige Toyota Corolla and drove it to the National War Memorial in Ottawa, where he parked it illegally and fired two shots at Cpl. Cirillo and another guard, a second guard, before driving north on Wellington Street toward Parliament Hill. He then got out of his car and ran toward the Parliament buildings. He armed himself with a rifle and shotguns and then fled toward the Centre Block.