Sixty years ago, Canada's current red and white maple leaf flag was raised for the first time on Parliament Hill. It's been the symbol of everything the country stands for since 1965. A symbol, no matter how battered and bruised, through turmoil and comfort, that's represented our country throughout the world. For National Flag of Canada Day, we asked a couple of community members one simple question: what does this flag mean to you?
Constable Craig Bird - Estevan Police Service
"Canada's got a long history of peacekeeping, especially since we got our modern flag. When we travel around the country, people respect that Canadian flag. It's kind of one of those international things that, you know, we've been known as peacekeepers throughout the world. And people respect the Canadian flag," Const. Craig Bird noted.
Bird is a police officer with the Estevan Police Service. As a veteran and an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #60 - Estevan, he's seen the Canadian flag fly all over the world in his travels. He represented southeast Saskatchewan last year in France, as he accompanied World War II veteran Jim Spenst for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. He shared that as a Canadian, you're treated differently than others. "You get treated a little bit differently when you go to some of these other countries. This year is the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe and the liberation of the Netherlands. And, you travel through those countries and they appreciate what the Canadians did and how they helped out during the war years and, you know, just the things that Canadians did. It's fantastic."
"Even when our Canadian troops go overseas, like I said, people have respect for the Canadian flag and what it means. People have respect for it. And, you know, they thank you for what you did and appreciate what the Canadians in the past did."
Bird admits that Canadian pride, at times, can be subdued. He's noticed over the years that Canadians are humble about their 'Canadian-ism', until something unites the country around a perceived threat. "You push Canadians far enough and they unite and become one."
He regaled our contributions in different periods of conflict, helping out allies when needed. Canadian soldiers served during World War I and World War II alongside allied forces. 26,000 troops answered the call during the Korean War. Alongside their American counterparts, 40,000 soldiers were deployed in Afghanistan as a response to the attacks on September 11, 2001 in New York.
"Anytime that there's a call, Canadians are there to answer it."
Estevan-Big Muddy MLA and the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health Lori Carr
"When I see the Canadian flag, I really am proud of being a Canadian," Estevan-Big Muddy MLA Lori Carr expressed.
Carr echoed much of Bird's remarks about the Canadian flag and her pride. She added that there's a preconceived notion that other people have when Canadians travel elsewhere. "When we do travel to other locations across the world, if you're Canadian, you really are treated with respect. You have this preconceived notion of being a kind person, of being someone that is welcoming, and that I think that is truly what Canadians are."
Representing Estevan and its surrounding communities for almost a decade, Carr has seen the ups and downs of Canadians in her constituency. She said Canadians should be proud of its long history and the country's standing in the world. "I think as Canadians, we can be really proud that we are Canadian. We have over a hundred years of history ourselves behind us and we've got many, many more years to come. I'm gonna hold my head high as a Canadian and continue on that way."
We want to hear from YOU! What does the Canadian flag mean to you? Tell us your story - email us at news@discoverestevan.com.