Crisp black, red and green colours went up over 14 Wing Greenwood February 1 – a brand new Pan African flag, raised for the first time at the wing to launch February as Black History Month.
“We’ve celebrated Black History Month on the wing, and now we have the flag – this is the first time to fly it here,” said Wing Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan Proulx. “It’s a huge accomplishment, and we’re leading the way – here, and across the Royal Canadian Air Force.
“It’s days and months like this when we should hold our head up.”
Proulx said he is proud at the progress – “not leaps and bounds, but certainly progress” – the Canadian Armed Forces has made in the years since he himself put on the uniform.
“I attended the apology in 2022 to soldiers and the community of the No. 2 Black Construction Battalion, and it was quite touching. I’m proud to wear the uniform.”
Wing Commander Colonel Jeff Davis also highlighted the contributions of members of the No. 2 Battalion from its challenging start as a segregated unit during the First World War.
“Black soldiers and sailors, public servants and others have and continue to bring their skills and talents to what we need as the Canadian Armed Forces,” Davis said. “Diversity is a strength – essential to all our operational effectiveness.
“Black History Month is a chance for us to take the time to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Black Canadians – whether it’s the culture, diversity, passion: it’s what has brought us to the country we are today.”
The Pan-African flag was created in 1920 to represent people of the African Diaspora. 14 Wing Greenwood’s Defence Visible Minority Group organized the February 1 flag raising, and will continue to highlight Black History Month.
