Published: August 05, 2011

Ceremonial Guard: Fortissimo!

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From August 11 to 13 2011, at 7 p.m. on Parliament Hill, the soldiers of the Ceremonial Guard will commemorate the 140th anniversary of the Permanent Force during the 15th annual Fortissimo celebration.

Fortissimo is a military tattoo and sunset ceremony conducted on the lawns of Parliament Hill featuring massed military bands, pipes and drums, guest performers and the soldiers of the Ceremonial Guard. It is a free event open to the public.

Brigadier-General Fred Lewis, Commander Joint Task Force (Central) - Land Force Central Area, will preside over the event debut as Reviewing Officer on August 11th. Fortissimo 2011 will feature the following guests, in addition to the Band and Pipes & Drums of the Ceremonial Guard: the German Army Silent Drill Team and Band, the Bermuda Regiment Band, the Bermuda Island Pipes & Drums, the Royal Canadian Artillery Band, the Dominion Carilloneur and the 30th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, also known as the Bytown Gunners.

The Ceremonial Guard is a unique unit of the Canadian Forces composed of more than 400 Regular and Reserve soldiers from across Canada. Wearing the uniforms of The Canadian Grenadier Guards, based in Montreal, and The Governor General's Foot Guards, based in Ottawa, the unit performs ceremonial public duties throughout the National Capital Region during the summer months. All members of the Ceremonial Guard are fully trained members of the Canadian Forces and proudly represent the more than 35,000 soldiers of the Canadian Army.

Family and friends of members of The Ceremonial Guard are invited to attend this spectacular event.

Note to Editors:

For further information contact Lieutenant Flavien Cyamweshi, Ceremonial Guard Public Affairs Officer, at 613-864-5429.

Information about the Ceremonial Guard is available online at:

http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/cg-gc/guard-garde-eng.asp