Field of Crosses Sunrise Ceremony - Royal Canadian Navy Day

Sunrise is at 7:35am

Today's Sunrise Flag Raising Ceremony is dedicated to honouring members of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Merchant Marine sailors who made the ultimate sacrifice for Canada. Each year, The Field of Crosses commemorates 103 sailors who lost their lives while serving on 51 of His Majesty's Canadian Ships (HMCS). Frank Llewellyn Evans, born in Calgary in 1917, served as an Able Seaman (AB) with the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve (RCNVR) during the Second World War. AB Frank L. Evans, along with the rest of the crew of the S.S Empire Amethyst, were presumed killed in action with “no grave but the sea” and are remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial in London, Ontario, as well as on the Halifax Memorial in Nova Scotia. Each November, AB Frank L. Evans is also remembered at the Field of Crosses and his story is shared.

Participants and invited guests:

School Choirs to participate in the sunrise ceremonies to sing the National and Royal Anthems. Buglers, mostly cadets and young adults, to play the Last Post. Pipers, mostly cadets, and also volunteer pipers from the piping community, to play the Lament after a minute of silence. Veterans, cadets, girl guides, boy scouts are a part of the sunrise ceremony in the raising of the flags. Uniformed members of the community, such as Calgary Fire Department, Calgary Police Services, EMS Alberta Sheriffs and Military Members, will participate. Other guests include Civic, Provincial, Federal Government officials, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, Governor General of Canada, Consul Generals. Veterans, community leaders and members of the public.  

After the ceremony, members of the public are welcome to walk amongst the crosses all day long.

Susan Schalin (s.schalin@fieldofcrosses.com)

4032970555

www.fieldofcrosses.com