CMS NR10.012 - July 28, 2010
OTTAWA – In honour of the Canadian Naval Centennial, members of the band and guard of honour of HMCS Ontario’s Sea Cadet Summer Training Centre will perform the Ceremony of the Flags on the front grounds of Parliament Hill on July 31, 2010 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This event, presented by the Canadian Forces and the Navy League of Canada, is open to the public free of charge.
The Ceremony of the Flags is a festive parade showcasing Canadian Navy traditions, highlighted by buoyant sounds of a marching band.
"This ceremony is a wonderful opportunity for our Sea Cadets to contribute to the Canadian Naval Centennial celebrations and to extend their understanding of the Navy's history,” said Cdr. Lloyd Scammell, CO HMCS Ontario. “It is also a great opportunity for the people of Canada to witness what the best of Canadian youth can do as a team. It's a perfect example of our past and our future, all in one place."
The band performing the Ceremony of the Flags is comprised of the most senior music course cadets and members of the honour guard and colour party are drawn from participants in the drill and ceremonial course.
The introduction of the Canadian maple leaf crested national flag in 1965 generated the idea to create the Ceremony of the Flags and it was first performed at Expo ’67 in Montréal during Canada’s centennial.
HMCSOntario is one of five sea cadet summer training centres across Canada. Located at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, the centre provides unique learning experiences in sailing, small craft handling, water safety, drill and ceremonial, music, sports, first aid and leadership. More than 1600 sea cadets train at HMCS Ontario every summer, under the supervision of some 120 staff cadets and 100 officers.
The Royal Canadian Sea Cadets is a Canadian national youth program sponsored by the Canadian Forces and the civilian Navy League of Canada. Since 1895, the Navy League of Canada has been active in helping preserve Canada’s maritime legacy, passing it on to future generations so that they may continue to realize the vast potential of our waters. The Navy League program, including Navy League cadets and sea cadets, has a presence in over 260 Canadian communities and its youth programs benefit over 15,000 young Canadians every year.
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NOTE TO EDITORS:
For more information about the Ceremony of the Flags contact Navy Public Affairs at (613) 945-1287
For more information on the Navy League visit http://www.navyleague.ca
For more information on Cadets visit www.cadets.ca
