CFB Kingston Celebrates Restoration of Services Designations

Published on: 2011/08/17 - in News

Chris Alexander, MP for Ajax-Pickering and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, Peter Mackay, joined the Canadian Forces at CFB Kingston Tuesday to celebrate the announcement that the Government of Canada has restored the traditional names of the three former services of the Armed Forces: the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), the Canadian Army (CA), and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

“As someone who has witnessed first-hand the important work accomplished by our Canadian Forces in Afghanistan, I can think of no greater honour than to reconnect our serving soldiers, sailors and air personnel with the veterans whom they hold in such high esteem,” said Alexander, as cited in a Market Wire release. “Our government is committed to honouring the actions, heritage and sacrifices of our men and women in uniform. I couldn’t be happier that we are taking this important step to recognize their history, and to demonstrate to all Canadians how deeply we appreciate their efforts.”

“Restoring these historic identities is an important way of reconnecting today’s men and women in uniform with the proud history and traditions they carry with them as members of the Canadian Forces,” said Minister MacKay. “A country forgets its past at its own peril. From Vimy Ridge to the Battle of the Atlantic and from Korea to the defence of Europe during the Cold War, the proud legacy of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force will once again serve as a timeless link between our veterans and serving soldiers, sailors and air personnel.”

On the 1st of February 1968, the government amended the National Defence Act to unify the Canadian Forces. As part of that process of unification, the designations of the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force were replaced by the Maritime Command, Land Force Command and Air Command. This week’s announcement restores the original historic deignations while maintaining the organizational benefits of unification.

By restoring those original identities, the Government is restoring a key element of Canada’s military heritage. These services, which date back to the first half of the 20th century, fought during the First World War, World War II and the Korean War; emerging victorious in those conflicts. The Canadian military also contributed to the efforts of deterrence and defense in Europe and North America in the early days of the Cold War.

The intent of this recent decision is to remind the country of the Canadian tradition of service and sacrifice that the men and women in uniform continue today.

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Photo: CFB Kingston – Trec_Lit

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