North Bay Armed Forces Day celebrated virtually this year
There were no loud cheers or parachuting demo team at North Bay’s Lake Nipissing waterfront this year. Despite all this, Wednesday marked North Bay's Armed Forces Day, one of the largest military celebrations in the country.
"It gives us the sense of pride of the uniform that we wear. Today is the day to recognize our members for what they do," said 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base Commander Col. Mark Lachapelle.
Under normal circumstances, the military men and women of 22 Wing/CFB North Bay would put on air displays at the waterfront in front of a roaring crowd. But, this Armed Forces Day is a bit different as celebrations move online.
The City of North Bay and 22 Wing released a video highlighting the work the Royal Canadian Air Force and the United States Air Force do on base. North Bay Mayor Al McDonald is honouring his military family in his life.
"My dad was a fighter pilot and his job was actually intercepting Russian bombers as they came over the polar cap," McDonald said.
His two grandfathers also fought in WWII.
As part of Armed Forces Day, base personnel and the city asked people to wear red to honour those who don the uniform.
There are 600 men and women from both the Royal Canadian Air Force and the United States Air Force located at the Canadian Forces Base in North Bay. They are responsible for 24-hour surveillance and identification of 200,000 flights per year approaching Canada and North America. But Lachapelle says there are also many members behind the scenes who play a key role as well.
"The focus is always the mission, but we have additional roles in supporting that mission, whether you're a cook or doing the medical support to our members," he said.
Besides their normal duties as aerospace guardians, base personnel has been out in the community taking part in events. Most notably, the 22 Wing Cares Food Drive at Christmas time. This food drive collects food and money donations for the food bank.
"They coach hockey and sports and get involved in our community and we're very proud to have them here in our city,” McDonald said of the local military members.
While the base is slightly disappointed it couldn't hold an armed forces bash because of the ongoing health crisis, Lachapelle said the team is working with the city in hopes of hosting a huge celebration next year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada crashes out of world juniors in quarterfinals for second straight year
Canada has been eliminated from the world junior hockey championship with a 4-3 loss to Czechia in the quarterfinals.
Pickering pausing in-person meeting due to alt-right threats, mayor says
Pickering Mayor Kevin Ashe says the city is pausing all in-person meetings, moving them to a virtual format, for the time being due to “alt-right” threats.
Athabasca 'chop shop' bust yields millions in stolen vehicles, heavy equipment: RCMP
RCMP have made what they call a "major recovery" of stolen property in Athabasca.
2 dead and 18 injured in Southern California plane crash
Two people died and 18 were injured Thursday when a small plane crashed through the roof of a sprawling furniture manufacturing building in Southern California where at least 200 people were working, police said.
Toys "R" Us Canada closing 5 stores, expand HMV and add play spaces to some shops
Toys 'R' Us Canada says it is closing five Ontario stores and revamping several others as it works to 'optimize' its business.
Wayne Osmond, singer and guitarist for The Osmonds, is dead at 73
Wayne Osmond, a singer, guitarist and founding member of the million-selling family act The Osmonds, who were known for such 1970s teen hits as 'One Bad Apple,' 'Yo-Yo' and 'Down By the Lazy River,' has died. He was 73.
Grieving orca mother Tahlequah carries dead baby for the second time
The famous mother orca who made waves around the world for carrying her dead calf for 17 days has suffered another tragic loss.
Former Liberal cabinet minister Marco Mendicino won't seek re-election
Marco Mendicino, a prominent Toronto member of Parliament and former minister of public safety and immigration, won't run in the next federal election, CTV News has learned.
U.S. soldier shot self in head before Cybertruck exploded outside Trump's Las Vegas hotel, officials say
The highly decorated U.S. army soldier inside a Tesla Cybertruck packed with fireworks that exploded outside Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas shot himself in the head just before detonation, authorities said Thursday.