War memorial sentry posting an ‘emotional experience’
Three 14 Wing Greenwood members have had the honour of standing sentry over the past number of weeks at Canada’s National War Memorial in Ottawa, including one who will be there for Remembrance Day.
Corporal Alex Anderson, 14 Air Maintenance Squadron, and Master Corporal Stuart Knox, 404 (Long Range Patrol and Training) Squadron, were on duty July 11 through August 16. Corporal Scott Nogler, 14 Air Reserve Flight, started his rotation October 7 and will finish November 11.
Anderson, who, in 2023, served in the Royal Canadian Air Force contingent at the coronation of Kings Charles III; knew he wanted to volunteer for the national sentry opportunity.
“I was in Ontario when Corporal Nathan Cirillo was killed while on sentry duty (October 22, 2014),” Anderson said. “So it was not that I wanted to do it; I had to do it.
“I very much wanted to be there for Remembrance Day – but, then I was excited another 14 Wing member got to do it.”
Nogler first applied for the sentry program in 2023; he was selected with his 2024 application.
“I was happy to find out I got the opportunity,” Nogler says. “After hearing many positive stories from other members about their experience on sentry duty, I thought it would be great to have that same opportunity to stand guard for this historic military event. I look forward to returning as part of my career and being able to later share my own experience for those who are interested in applying for this position in the future.”
All three spent a week training, learning about the history of the memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – Anderson said they had to pass a test: “You have to be able to pass on the knowledge.
“There is a lot of interaction with people, and a lot of really good questions. There are always people passing through the square for day-to-day, but there are lots of tourists, and there are some regulars we saw almost every day who would come and maybe thank the sentries, or pray. If you were the ‘rover,’ you would be engaging with many of them.”
The sentries stand in pairs in hour-long shifts, twice a day; with the rover able to explain the sentry program and the significance of the site with any passers-by. May 28, 2000, the remains of an unidentified First World War Canadian soldier were repatriated from France and buried at the National War Memorial. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier honours the more than 116,000 Canadians – Navy, Army, Air Force or Merchant Marine – who have sacrificed their lives in the cause of peace and freedom; and all who may die, present and future. The sentry program, since 2007, honours Canadians who have served in the 20th century’s major wars, and those who have contributed to Canada’s long-standing tradition of military excellence through to the present day.
“This was very rewarding and emotional experience – very special to do,” Anderson says. “But – it’s not about us; it’s about the unknown soldier, and respect for him. The memorial holds a big piece of us never forgetting, and always striving for peace.”
