Ottawa, September 11th

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On the 11th of September 2005, I had the privilege of being included in Brampton's Fire and Emergency Services Honor Guard, whilst attending the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Ottawa.

Under the Honor Guards guidance, I was presented with a unique opportunity to represent not only the New South Wales Fire Brigades but Australia as a whole, in a world class memorial service tribute to our comrades that have tragically offered their lives in the line of duty.

The flag party usually comprising of the Canadian, Ontario and Brampton Fire and Emergency Services flags, had a unusual International flavor this year, courtesy of S/FF Chris Arthey, Chris had taken it upon himself to scour Ottawa and walk for miles to obtain an Australian flag, to held by myself and to be included in our flag line.

The Australian flag was brought out and handed to me (and in the best kept tradition of surprises, everyone else knew but me), just before we were about to step off, enhancing my sense of inclusion to that of one of unity.

The Honor Guard performed their duties from start to finish with an integral sense of pride, honor and dignity, encompassing both the living and fallen, in a manner that was unparalleled by any other service present.


http://www.cfff.ca/programs/ceremony/2005/general_e.php

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Photos

Captain Robert Campbell's son, Thomas.
I think this one will go into the pool room.

Scotty Walker.....The morning after. Two minuites to kick off.
A little story......We all arrive in Ottawa the afternoon before the ceremony & book into the Sheraton (yep, the Sheraton, the 5* one !)Give our uniforms the final touches, work out marching orders, Tony Feast runs us throught the drill, we walk the parade route, synchronise watches etc....
Well just to steady our last minute nerves, we all decide to go out that evening for one or two cleansing ales..... ( so after 2 or 3 )
The clock in the kebab shop says it's just gone midnight.So we're on track.
Everythings good & we take a short stroll back to 5* opulance & spendour.
As we passed through the swanky reception, I remember feeling very grown up and responsabile-ish,(we made a plan and we stuck to it, a few beers nothing silly, asleep by 1, mission accomplished).
Now all we have to do is get into the lift........

Ladies & Gentlemen, I now give you the newly married Mr & Mrs Cohen
This is the newly married Mr & Mrs Cohen's (formerly Miss Goldstein) family Wedding reception, which is coinciedently being held at the Sheraton. So as we piled into the lift full of other simarly inebriated, nice, friendly "hava chat" kinda people, who in the time that it takes a lift to get to the 18th floor we had all become life long buddies, so it would have been considered extremely rude if we hadn't have followed them out of the lift to meet their friends,( admitedly even thought they had allready bid us their goodbyes ). So we joined, mingled, ate & drank (pay bar) and did a dance where everyone gets together in a big circle, holds hands & rushes into the centre of the floor, throws their hands in the air and shouts Shalom (a bit like the okey cokey but without the kicking) with our "fellow weding guests" & enjoyed the rest of the reception without incident, which is in itself a remarkable achievement seeing as how at one point John & I looked up to see Scotty dancing with the Bride, with all of the Goldsteins thinking that he was a Cohens & all of the Cohens thinking he was a Goldstein.....Even the Rabbi was smiling and clapping !

Comments

[mum]

Sept 11th parade 2005
David you must have been very proud carrying the flag in honour of fallen firefighters at the Sept.11th ceremony, but what a poignant moment. I was pleased to see the Union Jack in the top corner of the flag too, well done David. Fancy gate-crashing a wedding reception, you never cease to surprise us but it looks as if you all enjoyed it. P.S. ( You may wish to edit this next comment.) I still can't believe your hat!! Mum and Dad

[anonymous]

No bad for someone who isnt even an Australian Citizen.......bloody pommy!

[Guvincanada]

What a surprise when you just knocked on the front door after a 5 - 6 year gap. We were all pleased to see you again but the time went so quckly.We hope that you have a great Christmas in Canada, we are all thinking of you, With love Mum , Dad, Nan and Sharon

[Dad]

Merry Christmas
Hi David Great to see your photos, hope you had a great Christmas Day, spending the day with Shirley and Renee at Shoalhaven, Jacob has a little boy called Riley aged 3 months and Todd has a little boy called Finn 2 weeks old today, all well and send their best wishes Love Dad