60 Seconds With Sgt Antoine Martin, National Military Cemetery Assistant Coordinator
Video / October 19th 2023
Transcript
Good day everyone. I’m Sergeant Antoine Martin and I’m the Assistant Coordinator at the National Military Cemetery here in Ottawa and I’m ready to take on the 60 second challenge.
What is the role of the national military cemetery?
Here at NMC, we are the final resting place of CAF members and veterans who served their country with distinction.
What is your role at the NMC?
I am the assistant coordinator for all the internment and ceremonies here and we supervise that with a small team. I’m really proud to do that.
What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
To remain professional while being faced with grieving families every day.
What is your proudest moment as a CAF member?
There are many moments that I’m proud of, but more recently I was honoured to be the sergeant of the guards on the internment of a Second World War veteran.
What advice would you give someone looking to join the CAF?
Do tons of research, talk to your recruiter before making a final decision. There are many great opportunities and tons of great careers in the CAF.
What’s new at the National Military Cemetery?
We recently unveiled two Indigenous spirituality symbols that can be carved onto headstones. We have the First Nations medicine wheel and the Métis infinity symbol and we are really excited to soon announce the Inuit Indigenous Spiritual Symbol, and also, there’s a columbarium coming up at the National Military Cemetery. It’s going up for a new modern approach for final resting place.