Calgary Salutes honours Canadian peacekeepers at Calgary commemorations
Members of Calgary Salutes attended National Peacekeepers’ Day commemorations at Peacekeepers Park and Buffalo Park, where Major Lyndon Chubb, Retired, laid a wreath on behalf of the committee.
Calgary Salutes recognizes the service, courage and sacrifice of Canada’s peacekeepers and all who have supported international peace and security operations.
On Sunday, August 9, members of the Calgary Salutes Heritage and History Committee attended commemorations at Peacekeepers Park and Buffalo Park in Calgary. Their attendance supported the Calgary Chapter of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping.
Major Lyndon Chubb, Retired, a member of the Heritage and History Committee, laid a wreath on behalf of Calgary Salutes.
August 9 is National Peacekeepers’ Day in Canada. The date marks the greatest single loss of Canadian lives during a peacekeeping mission. On August 9, 1974, nine Canadian Armed Forces members serving with a United Nations mission were killed when their UN-marked Buffalo transport aircraft was shot down by Syrian missiles during a regular resupply mission in the Middle East. They are remembered as the Buffalo Nine.
Parliament established National Peacekeepers’ Day in 2008. Since 1948, more than 125,000 Canadian peacekeepers have served in international peace-support efforts around the world.
Peacekeepers Park is in Garrison Green on land formerly associated with Canadian Forces Base Calgary. The park includes a bronze peacekeeper sculpture, a Wall of Honour commemorating fallen peacekeepers and a Missions Wall recognizing Canadian peace-support operations.
Buffalo Park contains a memorial to the Buffalo Nine, including an aircraft monument, memorial plaques and commemorative flags.
Calgary Salutes is proud to stand with veterans, serving personnel, families and community organizations in honouring Canada’s peacekeepers and preserving Calgary’s military heritage.