Each year at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony, tens of thousands of Canadians gather to honour and remember our Veterans. This year, at 11:30am, during the singing of God Save the King, a special flypast of vintage military aircraft will grace the skies, each painted to symbolically honour a Canadian Veteran.
Each year, at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, tens of thousands of Canadians gather to honour and remember our Veterans and to mourn those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
This year, at 11:30am, during the singing of God Save the King, a special flypast of vintage military aircraft will grace the skies, each painted to symbolically honour a Canadian Veteran.
The Mustang P-51
One of the most feared warbirds in the world, the P-51 Mustang ably escorted heavy bombers deep into enemy territory. In the 2022 flypast, this plane is painted with the markings of The Royal Canadian Air Force 442 Squadron, its colours honouring two Ottawa brothers – Larry and Rocky Robillard – who both flew with the Squadron towards the end of the Second World War. (PHOTO: vintagewings.ca)
Hawker Hurricane
This British Hawker Hurricane, a single-seat fighter aircraft, inflicted 60 per cent of the losses sustained by the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain. The restored plane honours Flying Officer William Lidstone McKnight who served with the Royal Air Force No. 242 (All Canadian) Squadron. McKnight was lost in enemy engagement in 1941, but his spirit is memorialized in this plane. (PHOTO: vintagewings.ca)
Supermarine Spitfire Mk XII
A highly capable fighter, the Spitfire was elegant, fast and loved by its pilots, most of whom were trained in Canada. This plane has been painted in tribute to Arnold Roseland, a Canadian who flew with Royal Canadian Air Force 442 Squadron more than 65 times before he was shot down and killed over Normandy in 1944. (PHOTO: vintagewings.ca)
80th Anniversary of the Dieppe Raid
In somber recognition of the 80th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid, the Mustang, Hurricane and Spitfire were selected for the 2022 National Remembrance Day Ceremony flypast. Each of these planes played a significant role supporting troops on the ground during the Second World War, including the ill-fated 1942 raid on the heavily defended French port. (PHOTO: DND)
A tribute to HM Queen Elizabeth II
The flypast is scheduled to take place during the singing of God Save the King to pay tribute to the 70 years and 414 days Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was on the throne – the longest of any British monarch. Before she became queen, 19-year-old Princess Elizabeth served in the British military as a mechanic and was at her post when Germany surrendered on May 8, 1945. (PHOTO: Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
Coverage on television and Facebook
“The vintage military planes flying overhead echo the sights and sounds of the world’s largest conflict and honour the heroism and sacrifice of all men and women who served our country for freedom and peace,” says Legion Dominion President, Bruce Julian. “We urge all Canadians to watch the ceremony in person, on television or via Facebook. On Remembrance Day and every day, we will remember them.”
Learn more
The Royal Canadian Legion, on behalf of the people of Canada, organizes and conducts the National Remembrance Day service in Ottawa. Legion National Headquarters shares information and updates on the 2022 Ceremony here.
About The Royal Canadian Legion
Founded in 1925, the Legion is Canada’s largest Veteran support and community service organization. We are a non-profit organization with a national reach across Canada as well as branches in the U.S., and Europe. With close to 250,000 members, many of whom volunteer an extraordinary amount of time to their branches, our strength is in our numbers.
Public Relations / Media Inquiries: PublicRelations@Legion.ca/ Nujma Bond 343-540-7604
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