LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Royal Canadian Legion General Stewart Branch celebrated National Flag of Canada Day today with brief outdoor ceremony in Lethbridge.
“It was a privilege for me to host this year’s ceremony with community dignitaries in sharing the pride we have in our national flag” says Paul Brundige, President of the General Stewart branch. He believes the story of how our flag was created is worth of being taught to our young people. “The history behind our flag and why we have it along with a sense of pride should be instilled as to what our flag really represents.” Brundige spent 26 years in the Signal Corp as an army radio operator. “There is almost a certain respect that comes with it. You sort of walk a little taller and a little prouder when people recognize your flag and what it stands for, what the country of Canada stands for.”
Members of the RCMP raised the first Canadian flag on February 15, 1965, on Parliament Hill, and in honour of that connection the branch was joined by members of the RCMP Veterans’ Association to lower and raise the flag.
The Legion’s Public Relations Chair is Glenn Miller who served 25 years in the Royal Regiment of Artillery. He says the event itself just isn’t known by enough Canadians. “How many people fly a Canadian flag across the country, but how many average Canadians know that today is its birthday?”
Lambert Fox and Newton Bullshields of the Blood Tribe Headdress Society also attended the ceremony along with local dignitaries.