RCAF centenary celebrations officially take place in Bradford

Bradford has officially begun a five-day display of pride and respect for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

More than two dozen people turned out to show their support as veterans and council members raised the RCAF centenary flag, followed by Oh, Canada and God Save the King played a loudspeaker at the Sunshine Meeting Place outside the BWG Leisure Center on Monday afternoon, June 10.

Led by a pepper and color party, the ceremony included speeches from Bradford resident Lt.-Col. Ferguson Mobbs; The commander of the 16th wing, col. Gabriel Doré; plus a proclamation read by Deputy Mayor Raj Sandhu.

King George V gave the Canadian Air Force Royal Assent to form the RCAF on April 1, 1924, and Mobbs, who also co-chaired the city’s RCAF centennial planning committee, noted that the event offers everyone in the city the opportunity “to proudly honor his. distinguished history and heritage.”

“The RCAF centenary is an opportunity to showcase air force personnel and their achievements,” he said. “The RCAF continues to make a significant contribution to global peace and to those in need in Canada and abroad.”

Doré said he was proud not only to represent 16 Wing at Base Borden — the birthplace of the RCAF — but the entire Canadian Armed Forces in a community that “has proven to be a great supporter of our troops.”

“Thank you to everyone who persevered to do this,” he said.

The commander also admitted that the ceremony took place a few days after the 80th^th the anniversary of D-Day, when Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944, and with the help of air operations managed to push back the Nazis during World War II.

“As the RCAF modernizes its capabilities by investing in new platforms … while continuing to develop space capabilities, our most important capability, our people, will continue to begin the journey of duty in their country and all their technical skills and driving, coming. at Borden and spending time in the surrounding communities,” he said, closing with the RCAF motto, Sic Itur Ad Astra, a Latin phrase meaning such is the way to the stars.

While Mayor James Leduc was out of town for a conference, the deputy mayor proclaimed the official start of the city’s celebration, adding that Bradford was “proud and honored” to be part of the “significant milestone.”

Sandhu also presented certificates of appreciation to the eight veterans for their support of the local centennial celebration, which he encouraged everyone to attend.

This included two opportunities available directly after the ceremony, both at the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library.

In addition to a display of military memorabilia from Base Borden, including artifacts, a flight suit, models, a propeller and banners, guests also had the chance to experience flying a 737-800 thanks to a uFly flight simulator in the cafe/ lobby.

While the library display will be available all week, the uFly flight simulator will be available from 3pm to 7pm Tuesday to Thursday and from 11am to 4pm on Friday, but that’s just the start .

On Wednesday, the library plans to host a screening of To Learn, To Serve, To Advance a feature film about the Royal Canadian Air Cadets produced and directed by Mobbs, to be screened at 6:30pm in the library’s Zima Room.

Then on Thursday at 6.30pm in the library, Mobbs is set to moderate RCAF: Then and nowa discussion group that explores what it’s like to be in the Air Force.

However, Friday’s celebration will likely be the biggest draw and will include events throughout the day, starting with a parade at 10:30 a.m. that will head west on Holland Street from Collings Avenue to downtown from where guests can watch. the Canadian Armed Forces SkyHawks parachute team made an appearance at 1:00pm, followed by an official ceremony at 1:30pm, which will hopefully be followed by flyovers by various military aircraft that afternoon.

Weather permitting, some World War I biplanes will also make flyovers during the parade, which is planned to include about 20 different groups such as a flag party, pipers, a restored 1945 Willys Jeep chauffeured in uniform, a colorful group of veteran peacekeepers. uniforms and the Highway 11 Cruisers car club.

For more information on the anniversary celebration, visit townofbwg.com/rcaf100.