Enjoying new duties as military envoy

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/09/2021 (618 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In my first duty as Manitoba’s military envoy, I was pleased to be invited by Maj.-Gen. Eric Kenny, Canadian NORAD region commander, for the honorary colonel change of appointment ceremony at 1 Canadian Air Division on Aug. 12.

I would like to thank Barry Rempel for his many years of dedicated service as honorary colonel of 1 Canadian Air Division headquarters at 17 Wing. Barry was appointed the inaugural honorary colonel in 2012 and after nine years has passed the torch to Don Boitson.  

Both men have extensive knowledge and experience in the aviation industry and I am certain that Don, although he has big shoes to fill, will continue to promote and sustain the strong community support and connect Canadians with their Air Force in all parts of the country.

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I was honoured to attend the VJ (Victory over Japan) Day service at Brookside Cemetery on Aug. 15, where I was joined by Winnipeg city councillor Kevin Klein (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood); Veterans Affairs Canada director Lina Matos; Joint Veterans Association president Armand Lavallee; executive members of ANAF Unit 283; Pedro Correia, president of the Portuguese War Veterans of Manitoba; UN peacekeepers; RCMP members; members of Charleswood Legion 100, Aboriginal Veterans director Devin Beaudry; and our Korean veterans.       

This annual service is held in remembrance of the anniversary of VJ Day and of the Battle of Hong Kong and is regularly held at the Winnipeg Grenadiers Memorial Plaque in the Field of Honour.  

The formal ceremony included a piper-led procession of dignitaries, a march of colours, blessings and a moment of reflection.

A special thank you is owed to Carol Hadley of the Prairie Hong Kong Veterans Association for the invitation and to all members and families who attended.

We will never forget the bravery and the service of all who fought in the battle of Hong Kong during the Second World War.

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The 2021 Hubbell Awards provide scholarships to Sea, Army and Air Cadets who have demonstrated through hard work their strong commitment to the Canadian military.  

All recipients are currently enrolled in a Manitoba unit and will continue their educations at a technical institute, college or university.  

I was pleased to attend this virtual ceremony and to provide honoraria from the Province of Manitoba to 12 deserving individuals: Chloe Diamond, Gabriel Freider, Tyler Guenot, Caleigh Guillou-Cormier, Steven Hwang, Sylvie Malo, Alexina Nault, Martin Paslawski, Igal Press, Brenna Shaw, Nikolas Zaburdyaev and Thomas Zaburdyaev.  

Best of luck in your future endeavours.

Feel free to contact my office by calling 204-615-6044 or emailing assiniboiamla@outlook.com

Scott Johnston
Assiniboia constituency report

Scott Johnston is the PC MLA for Assiniboia.

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