Esquimalt will be hosting the annual National Peacekeepers’ Day Ceremony and Parade on Wednesday evening, which includes a low-altitude flyby from a military search and rescue plane.
National Peacekeepers’ Day commemorates all Canadians who have participated in peacekeeping missions across the world, including Canadian Armed Forces personnel, veterans, police and civilians.
Wednesday’s event will begin around 7 p.m., with the parade beginning at 6:50 p.m. at the corner of Admirals and Esquimalt roads, and the ceremony begins around 7 p.m. at the cenotaph in Esquimalt Park after the parade ends.
The parade will include a contingent from Maritime Forces Pacific, and Federal Minister of Veterans Affairs Ginette Petitpas Taylor will place a poppy wreath at the cenotaph, along with other municipal representatives and Maritime Forces Pacific Chief of Staff Cpt. Peter Sproule.
A CC-130 Hercules aircraft from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron in Comox will also perform a low-altitude salute over the park between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
According to the Department of National Defence, Canada has been involved in peacekeeping missions since the 1950s, and 130 Canadians have died while serving as peacekeepers since then.
Adam Chan
