RCMP veterans raise the maple leaf on National Flag Day
By Trevor Busch - Lethbridge Herald on February 16, 2022.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDtbusch@lethbridgeherald.com National Flag Day was celebrated at the Royal Canadian Legion General Stewart Branch on Tuesday with the traditional hoisting of a new Canadian flag.The ceremony, which commenced at 11 a.m., witnessed the retirement of the previous flag in addition to the performance of the national anthem. An Indigenous blessing by Lambert Fox opened the ceremony, and later Newton Bullshields led the gathering through an honour song.
“The Canadian flag is actually one of our symbols, just as much as the poppy is,” said Glenn Miller, co-chair of the branch’s public relations committee. “The flag is one of our symbols and we’re very loyal to it, and very proud of it, as all Canadians are. The flag unites a lot of people, if you look at the Olympics that are going on, the Canadian flag speaks volumes — just a presence in itself without saying anything.”
In honour of the RCMP’s connection with the original dedication on Parliament Hill on Feb. 15, 1965, the branch was joined by members of the RCMP Veterans Association to assist with lowering and raising the flag.
“The RCMP had the privilege of raising the first Canadian flag, the new maple leaf, in Ottawa and as result we like to carry on the tradition,” said Ken Taylor, president of the Lethbridge division of the RCMP Veterans Association. “The Legion asked us to participate today, and we are proud to do that, to represent the RCMP and the RCMP Veterans Association of Canada.”
Paul Brundige, president of the General Stewart branch, talked about the need to connect with younger generations regarding the meaning and purpose behind ceremonies like National Flag Day.
“I’m glad that we’re doing this, that we’re getting the community involved in stuff like this, because I think there’s a certain — I don’t know if I’d call it a generational gap — but we’re losing that, we’re not teaching our young people this kind of knowledge that should be passed on so that they can carry on with these traditions, because it’s knowledge based. Let’s get our young people involved and let them understand why we do this.”
On Feb. 15, 1965, Canada’s national flag was raised for the first time on Parliament Hill. In 1996, Feb. 15 was declared National Flag of Canada Day. 3
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