Canada's National Military Cemetery marked it's 25th anniversary on June 25th, 2026, with a ceremony at the Beechwood Cemetery, home of the National Military Cemetery. Attending were the CDS, General Jennie Carignan, CAF CWO, Bob McCann, and General (ret'd) Maurice Baril, who was one of the people instrumental in the establishment of this cemetery.
To see the pictures from the ceremony, go to:
https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/rlpgalleries/2026/nmc25/
In the 1990s, former Chief of Defence Staff, General Maurice Baril identified the need for a Canadian National Military Cemetery. Mr. Robert White, former Director of Beechwood, was able to connect with General Baril, and on 28 June 2001, the National Military Cemetery was officially opened. Since then, the National Military Cemetery has been of increased interest as more and more service members discover the opportunity to be buried honorably alongside their comrades.
The military cemetery in Beechwood actually consists of four sections. Sections 19 and 29 for were established for WWI dead and no further interments take place there. Section 27, easily identifiable with its Cross of Sacrifice at the center, is for WWII dead, and later conflicts, and interment is controlled by Veterans Affairs Canada. The section most known as the National Military Cemetery is section 103 which is approximately 8.29 acres and is used for serving and honourably released members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), Canada's Merchant Navy, and Veterans of allied forces or major 20th-century conflicts. Immediate family members can also be buried in the same plot (generally spouses). There are currently plans in place to expand this section.
The National Military Cemetery team has grown from just one liaison officer to four permanent staff supported by primary reservists and local units in its 25 years. They now coordinate over 100 services each year, and support many events planned in conjunction with Beechwood Cemetery.
Today’s ceremony marking the 25th anniversary was a small affair attended by the CDS, General Jennie Carignan, and CAF CWO Bob McCann along with defence attachés (Australia and New Zealand at least), veterans groups (U.N. Peacekeepers, ANAVets, Persian Gulf Veterans of Canada. etc.), and some veterans to mark a few. General Maurice Baril was present as he was instrumental in establishing this space. The most colourful group were the Governor-General’s Foot Guards and Band as they showed up with a compliment of about 56 soldiers, plus officers, plus the band of about 40 more. It certainly was a lot of red.
The ceremony started with the arrival of the CDS Carignan and CAF CWO McCann, after which the CDS immediately took the salute from the Foot Guards. General Carignan was the first to address the group speaking about the importance that the lives buried here represent. They represent commitment and integrity as well as the families that supported them and to the national responsibility to remember their sacrifice.
“For 25 years, the cemetery has stood as a testament to our commitment and our responsibility to honor those who have served and those who have fallen. A national symbol of our gratitude. Every headstone here, standing tall, row by row, represents a life of purpose and duty.”
CWO McCann’s address, halted for a moment as a CH-147 Chinook did a fly-past, pointed out the purpose of cemeteries as:
“Places of remembrance, from cemeteries to cenotaphs, encourage us to look back. They also compel us to look forward. They remind us of the legacy of service that binds generations. Service to one another and to a better world. To the CAF members here today, to our veterans, you carry this legacy that strengthens our resolve. The names engraved here are not foreign to you.”
So the National Military Cemetery is a promise to those who committed their life to Canada that they will always be remembered and their families will never grieve alone. It is a place of national remembrance. It is a place where families honour loved ones. It is a place where veterans gather to remember friends.
Lest we forget.
