Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh today  unveiled the Bomber Command Memorial in London, an event captured for online viewing here.

The memorial features  statues of a seven-man bomber crew  sheltered by a roof incorporating sections of aluminum recovered from a Handley Page Halifax III bomber shot down over Belgium. It honours the sacrifice of 55,573 airmen, including 9,980 Canadians,  who died defending Britain and driving back the Nazis.

It is also a symbol of reconciliation: Germany donated 25,000 British pounds for a new tree next to the monument in Green Park.

Following the unveiling there was a flypast during which poppies were scattered over the memorial by a Lancaster bomber.

The Canadian government is creating a special bar for Bomber Command veterans to wear on the ribbon of the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal.  Surviving veterans and families of any of the 50,000 Canadians who served in the campaign may apply for the honour.

More information on Canada’s contribution  can be found at the Bomber Command Museum of Canada website.