The Government of Canada has declared May 9, 2014 as the National Day of Honour to mark the end of our country’s military mission in Afghanistan. 19 Wing Comox will commemorate this day with a ceremony and Honour Guard at Wing Headquarters at 10 a.m.
This ceremony will express our appreciation for the support provided by Canadians throughout the military mission in Afghanistan to the members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Since October 2001, more than 40,000 CAF members deployed in support of the mission. During the ceremony, we will pay tribute to the fallen, the sacrifices of the wounded, and the special burden borne by families.
Residents of the Comox Valley and surrounding areas are welcome to attend.
As part of the National Day of Honour, 19 Wing’s ceremony will include addresses by The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of State and Chief Government Whip, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North, 19 Wing Commander, Colonel Jim Benninger, and Afghanistan veteran Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret’d) Dave Berry. There will also be a benediction by the Wing Chaplain and a moment of silence.
The ceremony will help bring closure to a mission which has seen many positive results from the opening of schools to both male and female children, respect for women, the fight against terrorism and the training of police and military forces all leading to the recent open elections of the new Afghanistan Government.
