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
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.