Aug. 9 marks the largest single-day loss of lives during Canadian Armed Forces peace operations. On that day in 1974, nine Canadian Forces members were killed when their Buffalo aircraft was shot out of the sky, with Syrian Forces claiming that the white and blue UN colours led it to be mistaken for an Israeli fighter jet.
In honour of those fallen, as well as veterans, forces personnel, police and civilians who served in peace support operations, the 33rd annual Peacekeepers Memorial Parade will be held in Esquimalt Memorial Park at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9.
Veterans Affairs Canada notes more than 125,000 Canadian Armed Forces members have served in international peacekeeping efforts in dozens of countries since 1948. Approximately 125 of them have lost their lives, and hundreds more have suffered injuries and lasting, sometimes debilitating, effects on mental health.
Over 4,000 officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canadian municipal police forces have participated in UN missions, while "thousands of diplomats and civilians have made important contributions," said Lt. Cmdr. (ret) Gerald Pash in a news release.
In 1993, the B.C. government was the first jurisdiction to declare a Memorial Day to honour those who died in the service of peace.
The local commemoration is organized by the newly established BC Veterans Remembrance Association with Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt.
Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt Commander, Capt. (N) Kevin Whiteside, will be in attendance Aug. 9, as well as federal, provincial, municipal representatives and leaders of veterans organizations.
Speakers will recite the names of those who perished. Following a remembrance silence, the dignitaries will each place a poppy in a wreath at the cenotaph.
Attendees who have served in peace operations are encouraged to wear their blue or orange beret indicative of their service.
“We are not only remembering those who have died in operations”, said Lt.-Col. (ret) Paul Paone in a press release. “We also remember those whose experiences are complicit in their subsequent death or whose service was cut short regardless of the cause, no matter their mission at home or abroad.”
