The Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum (CATPM) will be hosting a special Remembrance Day Open House tomorrow afternoon, November 11th in recognition of the many who served the Canadian Forces and who gave their life for our country. 

"Every year we have a free Open House for Remembrance Day," explains Stephen Hayter, Executive Director of the CATPM. "We want to give people the opportunity to take a look at the Royal Canadian Air Force Memorial that we have on our site. And certainly, paying tribute to those who lost their lives during the World War II in the RCAF has always been a key element to what we do at the museum."

"So, Remembrance Day has always had a special spot in our calendar," adds Hayter, "and we hope we can get the public out."

The free Open House will take place from 1-4 pm, with a free lecture, Are Museums Important?' in the CATPM vintage canteen at 2 pm

"We are a very specific story and there are a lot of people who are interested in that history," he adds, "and we are the largest national historic site in southwestern Manitoba so it is something that we can all be very proud of, and to remember that history during this time too."

The following is taken from the CATPM website, sharing more on the RCAF Memorial Wall on site:

The RCAF WWII Memorial Wall: “They Grew Not Old”

During the Second World War thousands of young Canadian men and women enlisted, as well as some from other countries, in the Royal Canadian Air Force.  By the end of WWII the R.C.A.F. was the fourth largest air force in the world.  Canadians also joined the Royal Air Force, Naval Fleet Air Arm and Ferry Command.  Between September 1939 and August 1945, 18,039 died serving these British Commonwealth Forces.  Members of the Royal Australian Air Force, the Royal New Zealand Air Force and Britain’s Royal Air Force came to Canada to further their training, of whom 1146 lost their lives in or near Canada.

This 300-foot airfoil-shaped granite wall is watched over by a bronze airman.  The names and ages of these young men and women have been etched on this wall as a permanent tribute to the ultimate sacrifice they made for our freedom.

The wall was unveiled on September 10, 2014 – the 75th anniversary Canada’s entry into WWII. There is no fee to visit the wall, and it provides a wonderful spot for remembrance and contemplation.

If you wish to search for a particular name on the wall, this link will open a folder of pdf documents with the names organized alphabetically.

Memorial Wall – Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum & RCAF WWII Memorial (airmuseum.ca)

 

All are invited to the CATPM on November 11th, Remembrance Day:

  TIME:  Free Open House 1pm to 4pm

  WHERE: Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum and RCAF WWII Memorial   (Hangar #1, Brandon Municipal Airport)

 

The museum will then close its doors November 12th and reopen April 1st, 2024.

For more information call the museum at 727-2444 or go to www.airmuseum.ca