472 former or current servicewomen, dignitaries, and supporters attended the sold-out December 13, 2017 Canada 150 Servicewomen’s Salute – Hommages Aux Femmes Militaires Reception and Dinner held at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. Its goal was to publicly recognize and celebrate military women’s 132-year, historic, and continuing service to Canada. It was a moment in time for servicewomen and their supporters to enjoy being the primary authors, protagonists, and tellers of a larger extraordinary story “Our Past Our Story Our Future”.
View December 13 2017 Servicewomen’s Salute full programme
View December 13 2017 photos generously taken by photographer Ross Macdonald
All December 13 2017 photos taken by Cpl Levarre Macdonald Canadian Force Joint Imagery Centre are coming soon.
Beginning at 1730hrs, December 13 2017 Servicewomen’s Salute guests gathered in the Canadian War Museum’s Lobby to meet with friends, military family members, colleagues, invited special guests and dignitaries, enjoy music played by Governor General’s Foot Guards Band musicians, and visit and talk with representatives at 12 Servicewomen’s Salute Thematic Displays. Volunteer retired and current servicemen assisted guests on arrival and departure. 12 Army, Air, and Navy Cadets and CIL officers assisted attendees’ registration.
12 Army, Air, and Navy Cadets and their CIL Officers registered guests, formed a colour party, and assisted guests to seating in the LeBreton Gallery
Honourable Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan meet with CAF servicewomen before his welcoming speech
Veterans Affairs Canada Honourable Seamus O’Reagan and members of It’s Just 700 Table
Rt Honourable David Johnston, Governor-General Foot Guards’ Regiment officers and Band musicians
Deputy Minister Veterans Affairs and General (Retired) Walter Natynczyk (right) mingles with guests
Deputy Minister of National Defence Jody Thomas (centre), Rear Admiral Jennifer Bennett (right) speak with Organizing Committee members Maj (ret’d) Chantal Mercier (far left) and LCdr (ret’d) Rosemary Park (second left) RE28-2017-0326-009Photo by Corporal Levarre McDonald
Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre
© 2017 DND-MDN Canada
Proud to have served. Honoured and fun to attend
Dorothy Gummersall Royal Canadian Navy Nursing Sister retired (Ret’d) Dorothy Gummersall RE28-2017-0326-002Photo by Corporal Levarre McDonald
Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre
© 2017 DND-MDN Canada
An auspicious gathering of servicewomen and men of Private to General ranks, with equal numbers of former service and current servicewomen, plus Members of Parliament, Senator Pamela Wallin, former Governor- General David Johnston andHonorary Naval Captain Sharon Johnston, DND and Veterans Affairs dignitaries, researchers, War Museum historians and Museum Friends, fantastic civilian supporters, and multi-generation service families attended
Master of Ceremonies Major (Retired) Sandra Perron welcomes guests RE28-2017-0326-013 Photo by Corporal Levarre McDonaldCanadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre
© 2017 DND-MDN Canada
Major (ret’d) Sandra Perron, Canada’s first female Infantry Officer, award-winning author, and evening Master of Ceremonies began the evening’s formal programme welcoming attendees, and introducing Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Harjit Sajjan
The Honourable Harjit Singh Sajjan Minister of National Defence speaks on the impact of women in the Canadian Armed Forces. RE28-2017-0326-019 Photo by Corporal Levarre McDonald Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre © 2017 DND-MDN Canada
At 1850hrs, guests and the Dinner’s Head Table were piped in to the museum’s LeBreton Gallery. The Dinner programme began with a Territorial Acknowledgement of the land, unceded traditional Algonquin Anishinaabeg territory, on which we gathered. Canadian War Museum WWI historian Dr. Mélanie Morin-Pelletier welcomed guests on behalf of the museum.
Dr. Melanie Morin-Pelletier welcomes all guests during the Servicewomen’s Salute Dinner to the National War MuseumRE28-2017-0326-025 Photo by Corporal Levarre McDonald Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre © 2017 DND-MDN Canada
RSVP regrets sent by retired Supreme Court Justice Marie Deschamps, and the Honourable Sheila Copps were read out by Master of Ceremonies Major(ret’d) Perron. The GGFG flute quartet played O Canada to the standing audience, and Chaplain Colonel Barbara Putnam led the saying of Grace.
Canadian Armed Forces Chief of Defence Staff General Jonathan Vance, and Honorary Naval Captain Sharon Johnston then gave invited speeches offering contemporary and historic reasons supporting the Canada 150 event’s celebration.
As guests enjoyed their 3-course dinner and wine, a Photo Montage, and WWII recruiting video were shown on the Gallery’s stage screen .
Canadian Armed Forces Chief of the Defence Staff General Jonathan Vance makes a speech during the Servicewomen’s Salute Dinner RE28-2017-0326-037Photo by Corporal Levarre McDonald
Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre
© 2017 DND-MDN Canada
Honorary Captain (Navy) (HCapt(N)) Sharon Johnston (right) Guest Speaker at the Servicewomen’s Salute Dinner with Rear Admiral Jennifer Bennett (left) Defence Champion for Women RE28-2017-0326-004Photo by Corporal Levarre McDonald
Canadian Forces Joint Imagery Centre
© 2017 DND-MDN Canada
Chief of Staff Army Operations Brigadier-General Jenny Carignan gave the final invited speech of the evening to reflect on how far we have come as a country, and what can lie ahead for future CAF servicewomen and men.
The evening programme ended with closing remarks by Organizing Committee Lead LCdr (ret’d) Rosemary Park. Servicewomen’s Salute Organizing Committee members and Committee supporters (shown in the evening Programme) stood to receive the applause of guests.
Master of Ceremonies Major(ret’d) Perron presented a thank-you tribute to LCdr (ret’d) Park commemorating the symbolism of the Canada 150 Servicewomen’s Salute event, and a personal poem and memento gifts for all attendees.
Broadcast difficulties prevented showing NATO College in Rome LGen Whitecross and staff’s video greeting, plus screening of the new November 2017 CAF recruiting video for women recruits.
December 13 2017 LGen Chris Whitecross Video Greeting to Attendees
December 13 2017 new CAF recruiting video screening
December 13 2017 Speakers’ Biographies and Tables’ History Quiz
December 12 2017 Head Table Dignitaries’ Biographies
A recording of LCol (ret’d) Susan Beharriell’s 1885-2017 storyline that includes reflections written by both Canadian Armed Forces servicewomen attending the October 8, 1992 Servicewomen’s Salute Dinner on Parliament Hill, and by servicewomen attending the December 13 2017 Dinner will be posted on the website.
37 of the 47 10-person Dinner Tables in the LeBreton Gallery had reserved Table name cards. “Amazing Ladies”, “CFHS Social Workers”, “CSRT Chicks”, “Classede92”, “In Honour of Col Karen Ritchie”, “Its Just 700”, “Killers from the Sky” RCAF Women”, “Team Epic”, WomenStrong” and “WomenStrong2” were among those chosen.
We will never forget the precedent, loyalty and service to Canada expressed by the 308 attendees who attended the sold-out Canada 125 Servicewomen’s Salute October 8, 1992 Dinner held in the West Block Confederation Room on Parliament Hill.
Photo Credits: Courtesy Ross Macdonald and individual attendees
