National Sentry Program – Master Seaman André White

Video / July 7, 2017

Well, as a Canadian citizen from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, this means a lot to me because, in Cape Breton, I come from a small town and we don't often get this opportunity to pay our respects for those men and women who’ve served in uniform. So having the opportunity to come here to Ottawa, and, you know, stand guard on a sacred National War Memorial is a huge honour to myself.

My name is Master Seaman White; I’m a member of the Royal Canadian Navy. I’m from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and I’m currently posted in Halifax. What I’m doing here today in Ottawa, the Royal Canadian Navy Standing Sentry today, here on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. When you march on here and the bagpipes play, I can honestly say that my heart pounds and we get to stand here and you get to raise to salute and it's the most meaningful thing that I’ve ever done in my career.

What I want the visitors to the site to walk away with is that, this is a sacred site. You know, it’s intended to be paved with, you know, respect and, but on top of that I would like for them to be able to take away a personal experience, so that they remember that, you know, we’re here standing guard. Those who have went before us paid the ultimate sacrifice, and now we have the freedom that we have today. Yeah, I’m absolutely proud to be here, to be a Canadian citizen in uniform, and, being able to represent, you know, the Canadian Armed Forces.