The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is going to be helping a Saskatchewan First Nation mark National Indigenous Veterans Day.
David Lavallee, a public affairs officer with the air force said late Monday morning on Nov. 8 one of their jets will be flying over the Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation as the community pays respect to Indigenous veterans.
“We are doing a fly past at the request of the community over commemoration they’re having to clearly honour Indigenous Veterans Day and its something that we are honoured to support,” he said.
Lavallee explained a single CF-18 Hornet from Four Wing Cold Lake which is in Cold Lake Alta, is set to do the fly by at around 11 a.m.
The RCAF regularly gets requests from a variety of groups and organizations asking for jets to fly over their events. Lavallee said whether the air force does a fly by depends on the availability of aircraft and whether they feel the event is one they want to support.
Lavallee added the air force believes it is important to show their support for all those who have who have served the country.
“National Indigenous Veterans Day is part of the larger Veterans Week commemorations and it’s important to recognize all contributions that have been to the safety and security of Canada,” he said.
(Photo Courtesy of Royal Canadian Air Force Twitter: A CF-18 Hornet, similar to the one pictured above is set to do a fly by over Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation Monday Nov. 8)