Canadian Press
Published: Monday, July 03, 2006
Furious veterans are renewing their demands that the National War Memorial be guarded to protect it against "disgusting" assaults after young men were caught urinating on it during Canada Day festivities.
A retired major snapped digital pictures of several people relieving themselves on the monument around 11 p.m. on Saturday, as thousands poured into the streets following the fireworks.
Most cheered and laughed when they were photographed using the memorial as a toilet on the nation's birthday.
"I think it's a national disgrace," said Dr. Michael Pilon, 63, a retired major with the Royal Canadian Dental Corps.
"It's absolutely disgusting -- absolutely disgusting," said Bob Butt, the director of communications for the Royal Canadian Legion.
"The tomb is a sacred place, the area surrounding it is consecrated as a graveyard. It's the same as if you went in and urinated on someone's grave."
The offending photos will serve as ammunition to renew the Legion's fight to protect the monument, he vowed.
Since the Unknown Soldier's remains were repatriated from France in 2000, the Legion has repeatedly asked the RCMP and city police to post guards at the memorial, at least in the summer when there is more activity on the streets, Mr. Butt said.
They were told there is not enough manpower to do so. Police patrolling the general area are supposed to keep an eye on the monument, but the perpetrators are usually long gone by the time police arrive to deal with any problems.
Dr. Pilon has also contacted several politicians and government agencies to ask that the National War Memorial be protected, to no avail.
Last year on Canada Day, he observed many people sitting and drinking on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, but when he reminded them about the young soldier's grave, most were apologetic.
He noticed things becoming rowdier late at night, with several people pouring drinks on the tomb in a misguided, intoxicated tribute to the man lying below.
In early June, Dr. Pilon sent e-mails to the offices of Premier Dalton McGuinty, Mayor Bob Chiarelli, the National Capital Commission and others, identifying himself as a veteran and requesting someone guard the memorial this year.
He got no response.
Although he was "very offended" by those he caught urinating on the monument, he is more angry about the lack of action from politicians.
"You're not going to be able to control how many drunks there are out there, but keep them away from the area and have a (security) presence," Dr. Pilon said, suggesting the memorial should be cordoned off with a small fence and a plaque to explain the significance of the site.
Les Peate, 77, a Korean War veteran and the national president of the Korea Veterans Association, said ignorant behaviour is an unfortunate exception to the "pretty overwhelming" respect younger generations typically show for veterans.
"I feel very sorry that there are just a few of these idiots, a very small minority, doing this," he said.
Mr. Peate was part of the committee responsible for bringing home the remains of the Unknown Soldier. Although there was some concern at the time about placing the tomb in such an exposed downtown location, he has not heard of any problems with it until now.
"It's really saying something for our society if there's a need to put police there around the clock," he said.
The photos of the young men urinating were captured the same day Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean attended a wreath-laying ceremony -- the first held at the War Memorial on Canada Day -- marking the 90th anniversary of the battles of the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel.
Mr. Harper described the ceremony as "very, very moving," and paid special tribute to the Canadian troops currently serving in Afghanistan.
"We want a special remembrance for them today because, obviously, they're probably doing more to make Canada proud these days than any group of Canadians," he said.
Sgt. Monique Beauchamp, a spokeswoman for the RCMP, said the force works in partnership with Ottawa police and the various government agencies who organize Canada Day to patrol the festivities, but there are no specific measures to protect the war memorial.
"I wish we could be everywhere and take care of every single incident, but the important part is to make sure people have a safe place to enjoy the fireworks and then be on their way home safely," she said.
Attempts to reach the politicians and agencies contacted by Dr. Pilon were not successful last night.
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=dfaae499-b7ae-4f6d-8190-b1fed9077bdb&k=55262
Published: Monday, July 03, 2006
Furious veterans are renewing their demands that the National War Memorial be guarded to protect it against "disgusting" assaults after young men were caught urinating on it during Canada Day festivities.
A retired major snapped digital pictures of several people relieving themselves on the monument around 11 p.m. on Saturday, as thousands poured into the streets following the fireworks.
Most cheered and laughed when they were photographed using the memorial as a toilet on the nation's birthday.
"I think it's a national disgrace," said Dr. Michael Pilon, 63, a retired major with the Royal Canadian Dental Corps.
"It's absolutely disgusting -- absolutely disgusting," said Bob Butt, the director of communications for the Royal Canadian Legion.
"The tomb is a sacred place, the area surrounding it is consecrated as a graveyard. It's the same as if you went in and urinated on someone's grave."
The offending photos will serve as ammunition to renew the Legion's fight to protect the monument, he vowed.
Since the Unknown Soldier's remains were repatriated from France in 2000, the Legion has repeatedly asked the RCMP and city police to post guards at the memorial, at least in the summer when there is more activity on the streets, Mr. Butt said.
They were told there is not enough manpower to do so. Police patrolling the general area are supposed to keep an eye on the monument, but the perpetrators are usually long gone by the time police arrive to deal with any problems.
Dr. Pilon has also contacted several politicians and government agencies to ask that the National War Memorial be protected, to no avail.
Last year on Canada Day, he observed many people sitting and drinking on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, but when he reminded them about the young soldier's grave, most were apologetic.
He noticed things becoming rowdier late at night, with several people pouring drinks on the tomb in a misguided, intoxicated tribute to the man lying below.
In early June, Dr. Pilon sent e-mails to the offices of Premier Dalton McGuinty, Mayor Bob Chiarelli, the National Capital Commission and others, identifying himself as a veteran and requesting someone guard the memorial this year.
He got no response.
Although he was "very offended" by those he caught urinating on the monument, he is more angry about the lack of action from politicians.
"You're not going to be able to control how many drunks there are out there, but keep them away from the area and have a (security) presence," Dr. Pilon said, suggesting the memorial should be cordoned off with a small fence and a plaque to explain the significance of the site.
Les Peate, 77, a Korean War veteran and the national president of the Korea Veterans Association, said ignorant behaviour is an unfortunate exception to the "pretty overwhelming" respect younger generations typically show for veterans.
"I feel very sorry that there are just a few of these idiots, a very small minority, doing this," he said.
Mr. Peate was part of the committee responsible for bringing home the remains of the Unknown Soldier. Although there was some concern at the time about placing the tomb in such an exposed downtown location, he has not heard of any problems with it until now.
"It's really saying something for our society if there's a need to put police there around the clock," he said.
The photos of the young men urinating were captured the same day Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean attended a wreath-laying ceremony -- the first held at the War Memorial on Canada Day -- marking the 90th anniversary of the battles of the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel.
Mr. Harper described the ceremony as "very, very moving," and paid special tribute to the Canadian troops currently serving in Afghanistan.
"We want a special remembrance for them today because, obviously, they're probably doing more to make Canada proud these days than any group of Canadians," he said.
Sgt. Monique Beauchamp, a spokeswoman for the RCMP, said the force works in partnership with Ottawa police and the various government agencies who organize Canada Day to patrol the festivities, but there are no specific measures to protect the war memorial.
"I wish we could be everywhere and take care of every single incident, but the important part is to make sure people have a safe place to enjoy the fireworks and then be on their way home safely," she said.
Attempts to reach the politicians and agencies contacted by Dr. Pilon were not successful last night.
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=dfaae499-b7ae-4f6d-8190-b1fed9077bdb&k=55262
