As we waited on the enormous lawn in front of the Parliament House in Ottawa, with the soldiers of the outgoing guard standing at attention, we began to hear the sound of approaching drums.
Soon we saw troops, led by their regimental band and pipers, marching up Elgin Street.
The entire force was decked out in their royal finest for the Changing of the Guard Ceremony.
The Ceremonial Guard, even on this hot August day, wore heavy scarlet wool tunics and black bear fur hats.
Now that is dedication.
Drawn from the Governor General’s Foot Guards and the Canadian Grenadier Guards, these soldiers to a man, or woman, no doubt they consider the honor more than worth it.
Also, it almost never gets this hot up here, so this was a rare hardship.
