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NORAD NEWS
News | July 9, 2015

New NORAD Deputy Commander hosts this year’s Canada Day Celebrations in Colorado Springs

By Maj. Jennifer Stadnyk NORAD and USNORTHCOM Public Affairs

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.