Halifax ceremony commemorates the end of the Gulf War

A ceremony in Halifax over the weekend commemorated the 35th anniversary of the end of the Persian Gulf War.

A ceremony was held at the Halifax waterfront Saturday to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the end of the Persian Gulf War.

David Benoit, the master of ceremonies, said the day was about recognizing the veterans and the families impacted by the Persian Gulf War.

“Today really brought together the commemoration, the recognition and brought to the forefront the important role that families play.”

Approximately 4,000 Canadians were deployed for Operation Friction, the Canadian contribution to the 1991 U.S.-led war in the Persian Gulf.

It was also the first major conflict for the Canadian military since the Korean War in 1953.

Harold Davis is the president of the Persian Gulf Veterans of Canada. He said for him the ceremony was about recognition.

“Today we are recognizing what we did over in the Persian Gulf War. I have to keep saying that because Canada, our government, does not recognize us as war veterans.”

Davis said this year’s ceremony feels like the first time the conflict is getting the same national status as Canada’s contributions to the world wars.

“It is a little bit of closure for some of us because it’s the first time in 35 years that our government has recognized our service in the Persian Gulf,” said Davis.

“That means a lot to the guys here, to the guys who couldn’t make it and the guys who have passed. It’s a little heartful coming today and a little emotional for a lot of the veterans.”

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