A late spring staple in North Bay is returning for its 10th year as Armed Forces Day will take place at the waterfront on June 10.
There will be a daytime show from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., which will offer demonstrations by the Snowbirds and SkyHawks. During the daytime event, there will be various displays around the waterfront, including army vehicles and equipment and musical entertainment provided by the 22 Wing Concert Band, the Canadian Military Wives Choirs – North Bay and the North Bay Pipes & Drums.
The evening show, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., will see a second performance from the SkyHawks, along with the CF-18 Demonstration Team, but not the Snowbirds.
On top of being the 10th anniversary of Armed Forces Day, this year marks the 80th anniversary of the birth of air defence with the RCAF and the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.
“As we go through these milestones in history and time, it’s good to reflect on some of the past that we have had,” 22 Wing Commander Mark Lachapelle said. “The theme this year is ‘Soaring to New Heights’ and looking into the future, and I think that is important too.”
“The veterans and those that served in the deepest and darkest times, we need to make sure we don’t forget their service and sacrifice along with those that are doing the service and sacrifice today,” he added.
Lachapelle says this is a day all the members of the armed forces look forward to.
“We have very humble members of the Canadian Armed Forces,” he explained. “It’s a little extra recognition that they have. They live in the area around North Bay and a lot of people might not know they are part of the armed forces.”
Aside from the SkyHawks, Snowbirds and CF-18 Demonstration Team, 22 Wing is staying quiet on what other tricks they have up their sleeve.
“It’s early in the planning and there are some other things that we haven’t confirmed,” he said. “We’re still trying to make sure we add a little bit extra as Armed Forces Day needs to grow a little bit. I feel like this year is going to be great and hopefully, we have a little bit better weather than we have had.”