The morning of February 16, 1965 will always remain recorded in the memory of the Canadian veteran Bruce Stock.
The largest retired from London, Ontario, was about 20 years old and in Parliament Hill that frigid day, serving as a camp assistant for the governor general at that time, Georges Vanier. It was among the thousands of Canadians who witnessed the new flag of the Arce leaf that was being raised, marking a new era of the country’s identity.
“It was so great that it took time to develop and [I] Always remember that moment when we were waiting and finally this beautiful giant Arce leaf appeared, and the whole crowd went crazy. I still have chills when I think about it, “Stock remembered CBC News.
“I was deeply moved because I realized that it was the new identity of my country.”
It is now widely accepted as one of the most welcome symbols of democracy anywhere on the planet, and newcomers accept it completely at home and millions of newcomers.– Part of the Charter of the Canadian War Bruce stock to the arce sheet flag
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the flag, Stock wrote a sincere letter. In it, he details the moment when the Arce sheet was presented for the first time to the public, the contest over the years before it and how the flag grew to be accepted as a national symbol.
Part of the three -page letter, which will see that it is read in its entire daring 100 -Necasco of the flag of the feet.
“However, some people still worried that their design was problematic. It was as if they could not leave alone, and they had to manufacture objections to their appearance and how they would perceive us not only at home, but around the world. Advance fast.
“Now you are widely accepted as one of the most welcome symbols of democracy anywhere on the planet, and newcomers accept it completely at home and millions of newcomers,” says the letter.
Stock, 86, told CBC News that he feels blessed to have “the incredible good fortune of being there the day our flag was born.”
Flag Day in Canada is taking a renewed importance this year in the middle of the repeated calls of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, the Canada Annex and makes it the “State 51”.
“We had gone through some very serious debates throughout the country about the suitability of replacing our flag of the day, which was the red watercon, with a new flag. And, of course, the veterans were against because they had lost too many of their outbreaks Under the Ensign “.
The Red Ensign, which presented the Union Jack, was replaced by the Canadian flag as we know it today, after years of friction among some Canadians who wanted to keep the original flag as a wink to the British roots of Canada.
Former Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and others wanted a new flag to affirm the independence of the country. Diefenbaker argued that the troops fought and died under the Ensign in international conflicts.
However, the prime minister at that time, Lester Pearson, wanted a flag that was clearly Canadian and showed the unity of the nation in tumultuous times, marked by an increase in the separatism of Quebeçois.
Stock remembers that Pearson was booed twice while talking at the National Legion Convention in Winnipeg in 1964, when he was explaining the need for a new flag. Although the stock did not oppose the Arce leaf, it was curious to know how to symbolically replace the Ensign, he said.
“It was very emotional for all the right reasons, but when the queen [Elizabeth II] He made his decision and gave the single arce sheet with two red borders the real assent, everyone knew that the debate was over and we had a new identity to welcome and hug. “
Renewed Canadian pride
Six decades later, there has been an increase in Canadian patriotism when flag stores throughout the country report an increase in sales of people who buy flags and other items to show their true pride of the north. Others are singing with enthusiasm Or Canada In sporting events.
Follow the threats of the president of the United States, Donald Trump, to make Canada the State 51 American, in addition to the taxes of 25 percent that Trump plans to impose on the imports of steel and aluminum of Canada and other countries, as well as the Rates of the entire economy that has stopped until March 12. .
Five of Canada’s old ministers have also written a letter urging Canadians to “show the flag as never before”, since the country contains “Donald Trump’s threats and insults.”
Ray grabo from the flag store in London, Ontario, said he has had the most occupied sales week in a long time, adding that it is moving to see the pride, since many of his customers bought flags for the first time.
“They are not just flags, it is other identification things for travelers and people who want to avoid being taken for Americans,” he said. “We have pins that have a Canada flag. They are very popular and we have sold thousands of small small pins of the candle flap since last week.”
Julia Izadi and her team in Flying Colors International in Port Coquitlam, BC, have received high amounts of orders for Canadian flags. She said it is an honor to supply them and be part of this proud movement.
“Our phones are absolutely supplying the hook, we have not stopped. We are all running. We have customers in the store, so it has been crazy, but we are obviously happy to see it,” said Izadi, sales representative of the company.
Stock said there is no more obvious unit symbol than the arce sheet flag.
“The flag belongs to all Canadians, and when hugging it and remembering it as a beautiful and powerful symbol of our identity, it will help us stay strong and true.”
