On April 1st, 2024, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) turns 100 year old and the Royal Canadian Air Force Association wants to paint the town blue with 100 centennial banners to celebrate both active and past members who served.
Jo-Anne Peckham – coordinator of the 100 Banners for 100 Years initiative explains who she would like to see on the banners.
“Everyone is invited to honour a past or present RCAF member,” said Jo-Anne Peckham – RCAF Association member. “Each banner will bear the likeness of the honouree, their trade, and the name of the donor – all set on beautiful Air Force blue background.”
The banners will be displayed on poles leading from the RCAF base in Trenton, into the downtown of Trenton and leading to the Municipality of Quinte West office in downtown Trenton in April. There will also be some banners in Frankford, Ontario.
Over 486,740 men and women have given their lives to service of Canada, they are grandmothers and grandfathers, fathers and mothers, daughters and son, brothers and sisters and of course, neighbours and colleagues.
“It’s not just about the pilots and air crew, we are hoping to celebration many different members who served or are serving as ground crew, mechanics, clerks, engineers, medical teams,” added Jo-Anne. “We would also even include air cadets who have received their wings. We want this project to represent a wide cross-section of members who are part of making the whole service great.”
After displayed, the banners will be included in a commemorative book and they will be displayed at the National Air Force Museum. Jo-Anne explains.
Banners are $150.00, and there a week left to reserve your banner. There is an online application form found at www.rcafa100banners.ca. You can upload the member’s photo, complete their 100 word bio and find the instructions on how you can make your payment through this site. Jo-Anne further explains the importance of the project to the area.
For more information on the 100 Banners for 100 Years initiative, or if you need assistance to book a banner, please call Jo-Anne Peckham at (613)920-4053.
Written by: Alicia Vandine
