A historic moment for the province of Newfoundland and Labrador will take place today as the remains of an unknown World War I soldier are interred at the National War Memorial in downtown St. John’s.
The ceremonies taking place today are the culmination of years of work and planning to repatriate the remains of the unknown soldier from France, and refurbish the National War Memorial site for its centennial anniversary—having first been unveiled on this date in 1924.
The unknown soldier’s casket is taken off of a military plane on May 25, 2024. (VOCM News)
The soldier’s remains, which represent every Newfoundlander and Labradorian who has made the ultimate sacrifice during wartime, will be interred at the site with a full military funeral.
Numerous dignitaries, including the Prime Minister, are expected for the historic event.
Elements of the ceremony include include the Last Post, a moment of silence, gun salutes from the Queen’s Battery during the armed forces march to the site, rifle volleys during the committal of remains, and weather permitting a Royal Canadian Air Force flyby as the casket is being lowered.
The site where the tomb will be placed on July 1. (VOCM News)
After the interment ceremony, a Memorial Day Commemorative Ceremony will begin.
Premier Andrew Furey, the next of kin for the unknown soldier, has been helping coordinate and set up the repatriation and refurbishment efforts since he took office in 2020.
He comments on the significance of today and the work to get here.
“Save the birth of my children and the marriage to my wife, this will be the single most important and profound thing I will have ever done as a person.”
