Students at Ralston School pass the Invictus Games flag along a line as it arrived at CFB Suffield on Friday as it travels from the recent event in Vancouver to the next host site of the 2027 games in Birmingham, England.--News Photo Collin Gallant
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Students at Ralston School passed the Invictus Games flag in a hand-to-hand relay on Friday as the British armed forces escort the official banner from the recent event in Vancouver to its next site in Birmingham, England.
That edition will be the summer edition of the games, which are a competition venue to aid recovery process for armed forces personnel who suffer physical or mental trauma from their service.
On Friday, -10C temperatures, haze and wind didn’t dampen the event, held on the lawn of Ralston School, which enrols the children of British and Canadian troops stationed in the Crown Village, as well as civilian residents of the area.
“It brings (Invictus) to light in the community, and certainly for the children who are from service families, what the flag represents – to have it here is hugely important for us,” said BATUS commander Lt. Col. Paul Eaton.
Eaton and four other British Army members attended the Vancouver-hosted games in early February to act as support staff to the UK contingent.
Warrant Officer Class 2 Warren Wilkinson and Sgt. Darren Green comprised the honour guard accepted the flag at the closing ceremonies at Vancouver last month, and did again on Friday during the ceremony with Ralston students.
“It’s fantastic event that have been pulled together and what the games means for (competitors),” said Wilkinson, who was stationed to BATUS in December.
His hometown of Nottingham is not far from the 2027 summer Invictus Games site.
“It will be good to see what Birmingham can accomplish and whether they can top Vancouver.”
Green said the games were inspiring.
“The whole realm of Invictus isn’t about gold medals, but team building and focusing energy to represent your country, which can only be a proud member,” he said.
“We’re representing the British sovereign here in Canada. It’s a great moment to be a part of and a great thing for BATUS.”
After stopping in southern Alberta this week the flag will move on to British Navy facility in Halifax, then be transported aboard a Royal Canadian Navy vessel to a mid-Atlantic handover to a British ship.
