Yesterday,
a press release was received by this blog, and it says -
On
behalf of the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs,
the Honourable Laurie Hawn, Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre,
took part this evening in the launch of the 2012 Vintage Wings of
Canada flight season at the Gatineau Airport. The aviation enterprise
is dedicated to promoting and preserving the history of Canadian
aviation
"Vintage
Wings of Canada does important work in preserving and better enabling
us to understand the role and history of Canadian aviation in the
development of our country," said Honourable Blaney.
Vintage Wings of Canada
brings together aviators and aviation enthusiasts, who maintain a
fleet and participate in flight activities and the promotion of
Canada's aviation heritage. The organization offers educational
programs and guided tours (by reservation only) of its collection,
exhibited in their hangar at the Gatineau Airport. Veterans and
members of the Canadian Armed Forces are welcome at all times.
Veterans Affairs Canada
maintains on its Web site at www.veterans.gc.ca archived videos that
capture the personal experiences of women and men who have served
Canada in times of conflict, including Canadian aviators.
Earlier this month, Minister
Blaney and MP Hawn announced a $100,000 contribution toward the
creation of a new Bomber Command Memorial to be unveiled this June in
London's Green Park in the United Kingdom.
During the Second World War,
while the Royal Air Force Fighter Command defended the United Kingdom
against aerial attacks, approximately 50,000 Canadian service men and
women were part of the Bomber Command, which attacked the enemy's
military strength by bombing key targets in an attempt to weaken its
military and industrial capabilities.
