It was 60 years ago on Feb. 15 when my Grade 2 class was escorted to a special ceremony on CFB Greenwood in Nova Scotia.
For the first time the class saw the red maple leaf flag and it was being raised ever so slowly.
Few, if any of us, had any idea what this really meant. It was all so new.
But six decades later it is part of all of us, mind, body and soul.
The Canadian flag is considered one of the most respected in the entire world, not only for its simplistic beauty but also for what it represents; a cherished symbol of strength, perseverance, peace, friendship, bravery and respect.
Canada has all of that and more.
From every corner of this vast land, from the coast of B.C. to Atlantic Canada, and through Quebec and Ontario, and to the far and isolated regions in the north, millions of Canadians are pausing today to reflect with gratitude of what this remarkable symbol, now 60 years young, has helped shape Canada.
“The flag symbolizes Canada’s breathtaking beauty – the white of winter snow and the red of autumn maple leaves. It exemplifies our dreams and sacrifices; our hard work and our unyielding ambition to grow,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a statement released for today. “It is an invocation of pride for Canadians who have hailed from every corner of the globe to forge a nation with a unique identity worth embracing and celebrating. And it is an inspiration to those who come to our shores seeking a brighter tomorrow.
“And while we are kind and generous, we will never be pushed around,” added Trudeau. “When our backs are up against the wall, we will always stand for Canada and choose Canada.
“We are a proud, sovereign, and independent country – and we always will be.”
And there are many, many Innisfailians today who feel the special pride of being Canadian, and are honouring the sacred flag of our true north and free land.
“There have been few times in our nation’s history, and since its adoption 60 years ago, to fly our flag so high, so proudly, and so loudly,” said Innisfailian Jim Carroll, who like many others in town, proudly put up the Canadian flag at the front of his house to mark this special day.
“Now is the time to embrace this great symbol of our nation with vigour and passion and true patriotism,” he said.
“This flag of ours is just that – ours. It represents our accomplishments, our strengths, our valour, our courage, our resilience, and should properly remind us of our shortcomings, our vulnerabilities, and our failures,” added Carroll. “And as we fly it, we needn’t denigrate, trample upon, or boo other nations’ national symbols and anthems to show our might, our resolve, our decency.
“We are decent. We are strong. We are, Canadian!”
Johnnie Bachusky is an editor with the Albertan.
