TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Nov. 11 holds a special place for many-- for the United States it represents Veterans Day; for Canada it represents Remembrance Day.
The Canadian Detachment has been at Tinker Air Force Base for 40 years, operating alongside the 552nd Air Control Wing. While the units support one another in missions and deployments, they also support one another in holidays and time honored traditions, one being Remembrance Day.
Remembrance Day, originally called Armistice Day, is held annually on Nov. 11th at 11 a.m. It marks the end of hostilities in World War I and serves as an opportunity to recall those who have served since.
Members of the 552nd Canadian Detachment attended a Remembrance Day ceremony on Monday morning at Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery in Midwest City, Oklahoma. The guest of honor was Rachel McCormick, the Consul General of Canada.
McCormick stated, “Our nations have integrated together, grown together and protected one another. For those lost, we remember. For the partnership we have built, we are forever grateful.”
The ceremony consisted of a vigil, the bagpiping of Flowers of the Forest, the playing of Last Post, two minutes of silence, the reading of In Flanders Fields and the laying of wreaths.
“Today serves as a reminder of partnership and hope,” said Lt Col. Shawn Guilbault, commanding officer of the Canadian Detachment. “While we remember hardships, this partnership we’ve built is enduring in the name of freedom.”
Col. Alain Poisson, commander of the 552nd ACW and Chief Master Sergeant Kenny Mott, command chief of the 552nd ACW, laid the wreath highlighting the partnership between the two nations.
“Today we honor those we’ve lost in defense of both our great nations and remember those who continue to serve in faraway lands,” added Poisson.