​Toronto hosts the Colours ceremony to express gratitude for our air force

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David Johnston with RCAF in Toronto

#JohnTory, #ColoursCeremony, #RoyalCanadianAirForce, #DavidJohnston

Toronto, Sep 1 (Canadian-Media): Toronto Mayor John Tory has proclaimed September 1 as Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Day in Toronto, media reports said. 

David Johnston, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada presented the RCAF with new Colours (special flags) during a ceremony held today at Nathan Phillips Square at 12:30 p.m. today for the observance of RCAF.

In military terms, according to reports, the word “Colours” refers to sanctified ceremonial flags carried by certain Canadian Armed Forces combatant formations and units.

These unique flags -- presented personally by the Sovereign or by an individual acting on behalf of the Sovereign, usually the Governor General -- are a unit's most prized possession.

Colours marked and provided a supporting point for army regiments in the line of battle.

Although they continue to be visible symbols of pride, honour and devotion to Sovereign and country, but they are no longer carried today in action.

Toronto -- a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture -- is Canada's largest city and the fourth largest in North America with a diverse population of about 2.8 million people and consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities.
It is the third time the RCAF has received its stand of Colours. The two other times that RCAF received the stand of colours was in 1950 and 1982.

This afternoon a military parade took place on Nathan Phillips Square and RCAF aircraft performed flypasts over downtown as part of the official Colours ceremony.

Tory was quoted by media to say, "The City is honoured to host the Colours ceremony. This is a wonderful opportunity for Torontonians to express the pride and gratitude we have for our air force, and to recognize the long history we have shared that dates back to the First World War. On behalf of our city, I offer congratulations to every member of the Royal Canadian Air Force on receiving your new Colours, and say thank you for your service and for bringing this significant and memorable event here for us to witness."

The RCAF flag was flown from the Queen Street flag pole at City Hall at 10 a.m. today.

The flag of the Governor General was flown from the courtesy flag pole on the podium roof at 12:15 p.m.

Later this evening Toronto sign was illuminated in the RCAF colours.
 
(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)

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