The NATO Council of Canada is pleased to announce that the Canadian Naval Centennial Gala, held this past Saturday, November 6, was a great success. More than 300 distinguished guests arrived at the event to pay tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who have served Canada at sea.
As part of the celebration of this momentous occasion, the NATO Council of Canada was pleased to honour Peter C. Newman with the St. Laurent Award, in recognition of his 30 years of service in the Canadian Naval Reserves, as well as his career as one of Canada’s most prominent journalists.
(Capt Navy (R) Peter C. Newman and HCapt (N) Sonja Bata)
The Gala was well attended by Naval and military personnel, World War II veterans, retired personnel and current serving members. A good deal of the Navy’s command staff were also in attendance, including the Deputy Commander Maritime Command, Rear-Admiral Paul Maddison, as well as Commodore Daniel MacKeigan, Commander, Canadian Forces Recruiting Group, Commodore William Truelove, Commandant of the Royal Military College, and Commodore Jennifer Bennett, Commander of the Naval Reserve.
The Hon. Gordon O’Connor, Minister of State and Chief Government Whip, Peter Miliken, Speaker of the House of Commons, and Senator James Cowan, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate were all in attendance, as was Jack Layton, leader of the Federal NDP.
The evening began with an opening address from The Honourable David Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, who paid homage to the central role that the Canadian Navy has played in Canada’s history. The cutting of the 100th Anniversary Cake was done by Rear Admiral Maddison accompanied by the RCSCC Vanguard Cadets. Guests also enjoyed a wonderful evening of music provided by the HMCS York Band directed by Lt (N) Jack T’Mannetje.
