Public and private customs in the military: a case study of the observance of Remembrance Day by 56 Field Engineer Squadron, St. John's, Newfoundland

Abstract

The military is an occupation with its own culture and identity, of which only a small part is visible to the public. The focus of this thesis is the November 11th Remembrance Day celebrations of 56 Field Engineer Squadron (FES) in St. John's, Newfoundland as a cultural performance that has both public and private aspects. This thesis will show that both the public and the private Remembrance Day celebrations of 56 FES are culturally appropriate and equally important to their observance of this day, that these performances communicate different aspects of the group's occupational identity to both members and non-members, and that such customs serve to integrate unit members by differentiating them from non-members, be they civilian or other military units or branches.