Colorado Springs, Colo. –
Celebrating
Canada Day in Colorado Springs has been a longstanding tradition in the region.
Each July 1st the NORAD Deputy Commander and senior Canadian
military officer in the United States hosts more than 400 guests to honor
Canada’s birth and share Canadian culture with Canadian Armed Forces personnel,
their families, U.S. military partners and local leaders.
This year,
for Canada’s 148th Birthday, the Canada Day celebration was coupled
with an important military event.
Following a Change of Office ceremony, newly promoted Lieutenant-General
Pierre St-Amand assumed the duties as the twenty-fourth NORAD Deputy Commander
from Lt.-Gen Alain Parent. The event
was presided over by NORAD Commander Admiral Bill Gortney and Canadian Chief of
the Defence Staff General Tom Lawson.
On this day,
Lt.-Gen St-Amand became the twenty-fourth NORAD Deputy Commander since the
signing of the NORAD Agreement in 1958. In his Canada Day address, he noted
that NORAD is a brilliant example of Canada and U.S. cooperation and mutual
trust and that the relationship exemplifies something much greater than a
bi-national security agreement.
In another
true example of the strong relationship our two countries hold, Admiral Gortney
presented Lt.-Gen Parent, the outgoing Deputy Commander with the United States
Legion of Merit – Degree of Officer and General Lawson presented the U.S.
Northern Command Deputy Commander, U.S. Air Force Lt.-Gen Dubie with the Canadian
Meritorious Service Medal for dedication; two of the highest military honors to
be bestowed on those who serve our nations.
The unique
relationship between Canada and the United States has been forged over years of
mutual defense and security needs; however it has also grown from a defense
partnership to a familial partnership, which has extended into the Colorado
Springs community. Each year, the Canada Day event serves as an opportunity for
the robust Canadian community to express their thanks to businesses and
organizations from their continuing support to Canada since the signing of the
NORAD Agreement in 1958.