Today on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, we mark the end of the 12 year campaign in Afghanistan. An impressive military display and 700 men and women of the Armed Forces have gathered for this ceremony. We remember our 158 dead and thousands of injured and the 40,000 who participated in this long war.
Greetings and thanks where sent by our Sovereign Queen Elizabeth II and a Royal Proclamation was made by the Commander in Chief and Governor General the Right Honourable David Johnstone to mark this day.
Though we were told this mission was one of Peace Keeping it quickly became a war, the longest one fought by Canadians in a foreign land. We may well ask for what? No one knowns what the future holds for Afghanistan and what benefit if any will come of this war. We can only hope for the best.
We can be proud of our soldiers who did their very best in often very difficult circumstances and thank them.
Greetings and thanks where sent by our Sovereign Queen Elizabeth II and a Royal Proclamation was made by the Commander in Chief and Governor General the Right Honourable David Johnstone to mark this day.
H.E. The Governor General David Johnston in the Hall of Honour of Parliament.
Though we were told this mission was one of Peace Keeping it quickly became a war, the longest one fought by Canadians in a foreign land. We may well ask for what? No one knowns what the future holds for Afghanistan and what benefit if any will come of this war. We can only hope for the best.
We can be proud of our soldiers who did their very best in often very difficult circumstances and thank them.
Afghanistan Service Medal worn by Canadian Soldiers
Canadian Soldier in Afghanistan saluting our Flag.
The last Canadian flag to have flown at Canadian HQ in Kabul, Afghanistan was brought back to Canada and a special baton was designed for it. A relay was organized from Canadian Forces Base Trenton to Ottawa. The team of runners were injured and handicap Canadian Armed Forces personnel. There was some political controversy as to whom would be receiving the baton on Parliament Hill. By right the Commander in Chief and Governor General should receive this flag from the veteran runners however the Prime Minister had managed to present himself as the recipient. At the last moment, with mounting protests from various Canadians, protocol was respected and the GG as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces received the flag which will now be displayed in the Hall of Honour of the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.
Handicap and injured Canadian Forces Veterans carrying the Baton containing the last Canadian Flag
