| HOME | RESTORATION | BUFFALO 461 | CANADIAN CC-115s | DEDICATION | REUNION

DEDICATION CEREMONY AND PEACEKEEPERS' DAY SERVICE


On August 9, 2009, a Dedication Ceremony and Peacekeepers' Day Service was held at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in partnership with the Cpl Albert Storm, CD (Niagara) Chapter of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping (CAVUNP).


Sunday 9 August 2009 was chosen as the dedication date as it was the 35th anniversary of the shoot down of Buffalo 115461 and the 2nd Annual "National Peacekeepers' Day", a national day of commemoration recently enacted by the parliament of Canada. Our restored Buffalo was dedicated in memory of the nine servicemen who perished on August 9, 1974, and to all Canadian peacekeepers.


An excellent article on the day, written by RD Bowman, UE, CD President, Cpl Albert Storm, CD (Niagara) Chapter, CAVUNP can be found on Page 8 of the Summer 2009 edition of The Thin Blue Line.


Overview photographs from August 9, 2009 (see more below on this page in chronological order). Photographs by Kool Shots - Official Photographers of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. Click on the following small photos to see a higher resolution version:



See the Official Program for a details of the planned program. Below is a photographic overview of the events of the day. All photographs by Kool Shots (Official Photographers of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum) unless otherwise noted. Click on the following small photos to see a higher resolution version.


Pre-Ceremony

The Buffalo early in the day following one of the thunderstorms that delayed the start of the ceremony.


Crew of CC-130 from of No. 424 (Tiger) Search and Rescue/Transport Squadron arrives prior to the service. Third photo shows CC-130 in background taken by Howard B. McGann, Photographer, Central Ontario Chapter, CAVUNP.


Arrival of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Honourable David C. Onley, O.Ontario.


Opening Ceremony

Master of Ceremonies Flt/ Lt (Ret’d) William "Bill" McBride, CD, RCAF introduces the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.


Veterans' Inspection


CWHM Chaplain's Prayer of Invocation by Rev. Charles Beaton.


Introduction of Special Guests and VIPs

Introducion of Special Guests and Families of the nine crew and passengers of the last flight of Buffalo 115461 (photo at left). Special guests in the second photo (taken by Howard B. McGann, Photographer, Central Ontario Chapter, CAVUNP) include Senator Art Eggleton (front row, far left), Rev. Charles Beaton (front row, second from left), Col (Ret) Robert O'Brien, CD, Chairmain of the Board, CAVUNP) (front row, third from left). Other VIPs not pictured included: Mr. Dean Allison (MP Niagara West Glanbrook), Mr. David Sweet (MP Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale), Miss Nicole Wotton (Veterans Affairs Canada), and Mr. Ronald Griffis (National President, CAVUNP). In the third photo, David Rohrer introduces the Buffalo Restoration Crew and describes the event of August 9, 1974 and tells the story of the CWHM Buffalo restoration.


Speeches

Speeches by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (left photo), MP David Sweet (centre photo), Senator Art Eggleon (not pictured), Col (Ret) Robert O'Brien (right photo), and a message from the Australian Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Veterans’ Association.


Poem Reading

Poem reading by Ronda Lee, daughter of Master Corporal Ronald Clifford Spencer (Flight Engineer)


Dedication Ceremony

Act of Dedication by Rev. Charles Beaton (left photo) was followed by Last Post, 2 Minutes of Silence, Lament by Piper Tim Woodhead, and Reveille - followed by a flypast by the CWHM Dakota (right photo).


Wreath Laying Ceremony

Music provided by the Halton Regional Police Pipes and Drums and escorts by the Canadian Airborne Veterans Association. Wreath laying by:

  • The Sovereign - The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (left photo),
  • Silver Cross Mother - Mrs. Loyala Helen Park (Mother of Corporal Michael William Simpson) (second photo)
  • Government of Canada - MP David Sweet,
  • Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum - Mr. David Rohrer (photo 3),
  • RCAF - Mr. Arnie Bower,
  • Royal Canadian Legion - Mr. Bob Cummings (Br#4, Welland, ON) (photo 5),
  • All Peacekeepers - Mr. Ronald Griffis (National President, CAVUNP),


Program Termination

Following the Royal Anthem by the RHLI Regimental Band, the formal ceremony ended with the The Veterans' March-Past.


EYES RIGHT - shown L-R are former 116ATU members Joe Thompson from Miramichi NB and Gary Naylor of Victoria West PEI during Veterans March-Past. (photo courtesy of Gary Naylor).


Halton Regional Police Pipes and Drums, under the command of Pipe Major Allan Eaton, OHM, CD, play Maple Leaf Forever with Massed Bands on Parade to close out the ceremony.


Post-Ceremony

Following the ceremony, members of the Buffalo Restoration Crew meet with the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Honourable David C. Onley, O.Ont.


Members of Toronto Police and York Regional Police pose with the Lieutenant Governor.


Painting of a Short Sunderland Flying Boat, by Keith Clifford (at left in first photo), is presented to the Lieutenant Governor. Aircraft pictured was flown by the Lieutenant Governor's father during World War Two.


Crew of CC-130 from of No. 424 (Tiger) Squadron with the Lieutenant Governor prior to spectacular departure. When Buffalo 115461 was shot down on August 9, 1974, four of the five flight crew were from No. 424 Squadron. The flypast by the No. 424 Squadron CC-130 was a fitting end to the day.




See our 116 ATU Reunion page for information on the August 8th Reunion Dinner.