Flag raising celebrates inauguration of Maple Leaf

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 16, 2023.

Herald photo by Ry Clarke Legion and RCMP Veterans watch as the Canadian flag is raised Wednesday at city hall in honour of National Flag Day.

The Royal Canadian General Stewart Branch held a ceremony at Lethbridge City Hall on Wednesday to celebrate National Flag Day. The gathering celebrated the inauguration of the flag of Canada in 1965, where it was raised for the first time on Parliament Hill.

Joined by the RCMP Veterans Association, the event highlighted their distinction of lowering the Red Ensign for the last time and raising the new Canadian flag for the first time.

“It is a flag that Canada has adopted to be our own,” said Paul Brundige, President of the General Stewart Branch No. 4.

“It gives us something that we can stand up, be proud of and wave. People know that we are who we are in the nation of nations. One of the greatest things with being a veteran is I got to wear that flag on my shoulder for 26 years serving the Canadian Forces, serving all over the world. When you wear that flag on your shoulder, people recognize it right away, there is no question who we are, and what we stand for. Celebrating Flag Day, there is a lot of pride and history behind it.”

2023 also marks a milestone for the RCMP, which is celebrating its 150 anniversary.

“In 1965, when the Canadian Ensign was lowered, and then the new Canadian Maple Leaf flag was raised, that duty was performed by RCMP members. There was a junior constable that lowered the Ensign, and then a sergeant raised the new Canadian flag,” said Ken Taylor, President of the Lethbridge Division of the RCMP Veterans Association.

“The Royal Canadian Legion here in Lethbridge has been great at perpetuating the Flag Day ceremonies, and have always invited the RCMP and the Veterans Association to participate, the same way as that we participated the first time. This is the 150th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, it is an honour to be from that organization originally as veterans.”

For many, Canada’s flag holds a significance for the symbolism that is associated with it.

“Canada has been on every UN peacekeeping mission since its inception with Lester B. Pearson (Canada’s 14th Prime Minister) brining it in. We still are there today, even with Ukraine and what is going on right now, we are there. And people recognize that flag,” said Brundige.

Paying respect to Canada’s history and honouring tradition, Wednesday’s flag raising saluted to those that call this country home.

“It has been an honour to wear the flag on my shoulder and represent Canada around the world. I have served in UN missions, and like I said, the flag is recognized immediately when people see it,” said Brundige.