Canada Day is a time to show our national pride, and perhaps one of the best ways to do that is to pay tribute to our nation’s flag.
Lacombe will be holding its first ever flag raising event at the Legion Hall on July 1 at 11:30 a.m.
Deven Kumar, communications coordinator for the City of Lacombe said that this is the first event of its kind in Lacombe but he would like to see the City participate in more such ceremonies in the future.
He added that this a way for the City of Lacombe to remind Lacombians that they are part of the bigger community of Canada and should be proud to be so.
“It’s to encourage Lacombians to take an interest in not only their own community but take interest in their country and our history,” said Kumar.
“It’s all in an effort to promote a national identity.”
Jim Pratt, president of the #79 Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, said that Canada Day events are not something the local Legion has been very involved with in recent years, but it is something they should be.
He added that a flag-raising is something everyone should want to take part in.
“Basically what we are doing is drawing attention to our flag and I don’t think there is enough of that,” said Pratt.
“We should be drawing attention to it more often. Everybody takes it for granted. So, taking a page from the American book, we should show our flag off more often.”
Pratt added that, while Canada is a country known for not being overly patriotic, that doesn’t mean it lacks the capability to be so.
“We’re casual about it, but that doesn’t mean we don’t think along those lines.”
Kumar echoed Pratt’s sentiments, saying that Canada Day and the flag raising ceremony are ways for people to be part of something that is bigger than themselves.
They are numerous reasons for the general public to be involved with the ceremony, said Pratt.
He said it is a good way to draw attention to the nation’s flag and a good way for Canadians to re-dedicate themselves to the country.
Members of the general public wishing to attend the flag raising ceremony should gather outside the Lacombe Legion Hall. The ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. with members of the police service, fire department, legion members and possibly military marching from Lacombe Memorial Centre to the Legion Hall.
At noon the actual flag ceremony begins with remarks from Pratt, MLA Rod Fox, Mayor Steve Christie and Chaplain Shealagh McClelland.
Following the speeches, the last post will be played followed by the revelry and a prayer. To finish, the flag will be raised to O Canada.
Following the ceremony, the Lacombe Legion will be hosting a barbeque. Music for the barbeque will be provided by the Lacombe Lions Band.
Other Canada Day events taking place in Lacombe include free activities at the English Estates Centre in the morning and fireworks at dusk over Cranna Lake.
For more information, visit the City of Lacombe web site.