(no subject)

Today is 1 July, which makes it Canada Day. It's also Commemoration Day in Newfoundland (more commonly, but incorrectly, Memorial Day), commemorating the sacrifices of the fighting men from the then-Dominion of Newfoundland at Beaumont Hamel during the opening day of the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916. Of the 758 men and 22 officers of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment who answered muster that morning, only 110 were unscathed at the end of the day, and only 68 of those- and none of the officers- were available for roll call the next morning.

This picture, featuring the Maple Leaf streaming in a gentle breeze (probably pretty accurately, as it was about a B-3), was taken from HMCS Edmonton, and shows the ensign flying from a stanchion on the sweep deck (aft) on HMCS Yellowknife.

This week, with both Canadian and American celebrations, it's probably both fitting and proper to take a moment and remember than no national symbol would endure without the willingness of those who serve in uniform to take the chance that they might make the ultimate sacrifice.