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I was pretty close to retirement and I wasn't sure what to do.
And I heard about the opportunity, that a position might be
open here.
I was hoping my son could take the position and I would be
able to pop in now and then to help him out.
My father, he was a musician for the Forces. He's been in
the Army, the Air Force and the Navy.
It’s one of two cemeteries in Canada under Veterans Affairs.
It's a very unique area. It's surrounded by a golf course. I
imagine most people in Victoria don't even know it's here,
but it also gives it that little bit of extra sanctuary,
where it's very serene and peaceful.
The history spans over 150 years. It's one year younger than
Canada itself.
There's various number of people that are interred here.
There's children and there's many spouses, of course,
of serving military members.
There's a Japanese sailor interred here. There's also a few
Australians and Americans.
There actually is an Afghan Veteran laid to rest here in the
middle of the cemetery,
alongside his grandparents and they also served themselves.
This cemetery is also a national historic site.
So when you combine all those together, it adds up to quite
a bit of history.
The green zone is implemented behind the cemetery.
The golf course was kind enough to sell the land, a bit
more land to the Veterans Affairs,
so they could place a more treed area, which gives a bit
more of a great feel to the place.
They put in about 12 columbariums as well, which are more
high volume places
which were needed as this place was filling up just
recently, about a year ago.
The new office is absolutely great. They've been working on
it for the past about half year and
it's just great. They did a wonderful job over there.
Now we have an actual meeting room,
which makes the families more comfortable because that's
essentially what our main goal is.
Families, they're all very kind. They come from all across
Canada.
Regardless of your rank, regardless of which service you are
in, Army, Navy or Air Force.
Regardless of your trade, all Veterans, of course, are able
to be interred here.
As long as you were a member of the military, this can be
your final resting place.
It's just an absolute honour and a privilege to be able to
work here and
see the history firsthand, and hear about it from these
families.
A message from the Government of Canada.