St. John's, Newfoundland: Peacekeepers Memorial

Canadian armed forces often have been asked to serve in a peacekeeping role in some of the world's hot spots. That's appropriate for a nation that has a reputation for civility and politeness.

The job can have its hazards. On August 9, 1974, a plane was shot down between Beirut and Damascus in the Middle East. Nine Canadians died, and that's the biggest single loss in the nation's history of peacekeeping.

While the rest of the world marks International Day of United National Peacekeepers on May 29, Canada sticks to August 9. This statue was unveiled in 2006; it shows a soldier releasing a dove. 

The display is located in downtown St. John's, and is a nice idea - particularly if you know the background of it all.