By Chris Dragseth
I thought you might be interested in an article about Flag Day and my personal values related to the flag. You’ll recall that Shiela Copps announced in February 2006 “one million flags to Canadians”. The program was controversial, given the costs.
Not withstanding the controversy, it pushed me into looking a little deeper. To my amazement, any Canadian could request and receive any of the Canadian flags that fly on Canada’s Parliament buildings. They come in two sizes. The Peace Tower is the biggest, 7.5 x 15 feet, and is changed daily. While the East and West Block flags are 4.5 x 9 feet and are changed weekly. So……. I thought I’d request a the Peace Tower. After all it truly symbolizes Canada’s Parliament.
The general public can take advantage of this program by accessing this website, but be prepared, the wait list for both sets of flags is now 100 years!!!
Back to my story.
My request went in sometime in 2006. Shortly thereafter I received confirmation that I was in the cue. To my surprise the waiting list was a minimum of 10 years!! (At that time, the wait list had not grown to its current level). Oh well, I wasn’t planning on leaving this world anytime soon. We did move in the ensuing waiting period 3 times. I would diligently update the Department of Public Services and Procurement, as they were responsible for the flag program. I also would follow-up to see where I was on the waiting list as time marched on.
Eventually the big day came!! I received the attached letter in my Cortes mail in October 2017 with my new flag!
So each year I fly my flag on Canada Day, regardless where I am. This year I flew the my flag at Mike and Donna Manson’s farm, in recognition of the 60th Anniversary of Canada’s Flag Day (albeit a few days late due to the weather).
Given the toxic political climate these days both domestically and internationally, our flag is an important symbol of Canada, and all that we stand for. It is my hope that All Canadians come together in solidarity during these difficult times to make Canada even stronger and an even better place that it already is. Failure is not an option!!!
Cheers,
Chris Dragseth, a very Proud Canadian!!
All photos courtesy Chris Dragseth