2019 Remembrance Day Service at Fort York National Historic Site

Despite to poor weather, cold and snow, I was pleased to see a large gathering showed up for Remembrance Day Service at Fort York National Historic Site. I feel it's important to attend to honour those who sacrificed their lives for our country, those who have served and those who are currently serving.

Fort York National Historic Site and the Toronto Municipal Chapter IODE are proud to present one of the city's most evocative Remembrance Day services. It unfolds at the Strachan Avenue Military Burial Ground on Garrison Common. At 10:45 from the west gate of the fort, a procession led by period-uniformed staff and standard bearers of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire will make its way to the old cemetery (at the west end of the Common) where the public will gather. There, at the eleventh hour, all soldiers of the Toronto Garrison who fell in the defence of Canada, here and around the world, from 1812 to the present, will be remembered and honoured.

Richard Haynes from the Fort York National Historic Site gave opening remakes and officiated.

Trumpeter Robert Divito played O Canada, performed the Last Post and played God Save the Queen. We sang along to the two national anthems.

The Reverend Jan Hiemonga gave prayers and readings.

It wasn't listed in the program but this lady performed the Lament after the two minutes of silence.

The laying of the wreaths. After the service and the procession has left, people in the crowd converge on the wreaths to pin their own poppies to one.

It's always a well done moving service which lasts about 40 minutes. Despite the weather, I'm glad that I and the others all attended.

The New Garrison Crossing

Today I went for a walk which took me over the new Garrison Crossing which opened on October 1 of this year. The crossing consists of two bridges with a park in the middle. The bridges allow access to the park at Garrison Common, outside of Fort York from Wellington St West, over the rail tracks which split just to the east of them. Below shows the original plans.

The park on the north side is not yet properly sodded. It will be in the spring. Both sides have this sign to welcome people.

The 52 meter long, northern bridge.

The view from the northern bridge looking west to Strachan and directly below is is the view from Strachan to the bridge.

Looking towards the city.

The park in the middle of the triangle. It's still being developed.

The view from the park.

The view to the city from the middle of the 49 meter long southern bridge.

The ramp to the park. There is also a lookout towards the city but was blocked as it was being worked on.

The view from Strachan to the southern bridge.

I'm looking forward to the parks in the north and middle being finished. It'll be a beautiful place to visit.

An Afternoon at Ripley's Aquarium, Toronto

This afternoon, Teena and I went to the Ripley's Aquarium which is located at the base of the CN Tower. It's our third or fourth visit and every time has provided an awesome experience.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of our day.

Dangerous Lagoon!

 A seahorse and a ray tank.

 Sea nettles

Bottom jellyfish

Jellyfish.

A lesson on plastic waste.

When we left, we looked up and way up above were people doing the CN Tower Edgewalk. No, I haven't the nerve to do this myself.

As always, it was a great trip. I'm looking into buying an annual pass so I can visit anytime.