CALGARY, Sept. 11, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, today presented the new Bomber Command Bar to Calgary-area Canadian Veterans at a special ceremony held at The Military Museums of Calgary. Veterans of Bomber Command and their families were in attendance for the ceremony.
"Our Government is proud to have created the Bomber Command Bar to honour Canadian Veterans who served in Bomber Command," said Minister Fantino. "Today, I am very pleased to present this very special honour to those Canadians who fought for peace, freedom and democracy through their service in Bomber Command."
Canada played a vital role in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, a wide-reaching plan that was jointly undertaken by Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, whose graduates formed the backbone of Bomber Command. Many of the Canadians who trained under this program served with Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons in the No. 6 Bomber Group—the only non-British group to serve in Bomber Command. By the end of the Second World War, No. 6 Bomber Group had carried out more than 40,000 sorties and approximately 8,000 decorations for bravery were awarded to its members. The Government of Canada created this official honour to formally recognize all the brave Canadians who served in this dangerous air campaign during the Second World War.
In addition to the creation of the Bomber Command Bar, the Government of Canada also helped to create the new Bomber Command Memorial in London, United Kingdom. This memorial honours all members of the Bomber Command from Allied countries and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
For more information on Canada's role in Bomber Command and the Bomber Command Bar, to apply online for the honour or to download a hardcopy of the application form, please visit veterans.gc.ca.
2013 is the Year of the Korean War Veteran—Canada proudly remembers the heroes of the Korean War and their brave fight to defend the Republic of Korea and uphold freedom, democracy and the rule of law. For more information on Canada's role in the Korean War, visit veterans.gc.ca.
SOURCE: Veterans Affairs Canada
Janice Summerby
Media Relations Advisor
Veterans Affairs Canada
613-992-7468
Joshua Zanin
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
613-996-4649
Follow us on Twitter: @VeteransENG_CA
Share this article