1984 I was playing with the Band of the Ceremonial Guard in Ottawa and we did a tatoo with the Airborne Regt commemorating the 40th annivesary of the liberation of Rome. Fun times.
When I returned to school in Winnipeg I joined the Band of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles and had the privilege to meet Cliff Chatterton who was a Co. Commander with the Rifles and landed in the first wave on Juno Beach, 6 June 1944. A true gentleman.
That’s a touchy subject, especially for those who have been in the CAFs and watched the capacity of the military reduced to junk status, cannibalizing equipment to keep a small core at operational status.
I realize that Canada has to send high ranking public officials to these events, but considering the obvious disdain that the Prime Minister has for the military it wouldn’t have hurt my feelings if he stayed home to answer questions about MPs colluding with foreign powers. Defence Minister Blair is more than adequate as a representative for Canada.