Articles

By Amber Gooding

An estimated 1,800 people - military personnel, retirees, friends, family and dignitaries - gathered at the RCAF Memorial Museum at 8 Wing Trenton for the 2006 Ad Astra Stone dedication ceremony on September 30.

In addition to dedicating 8,052 new stones, those gathered also celebrated the 75th anniversary of 8 Wing Trenton. The base, or wing as it's now called, was built during the Great Depression and soon emerged as one of the largest aircrew training bases in Canada. More than 100,000 pilots trained at Trenton during the Second World War as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, and 426 Squadron remains to this day as the training squadron for all CC-130 Hercules crews in Canada. Of course in recent decades, aside from its role in training, has grown to become the largest air transport base in Canada.

"It's only fitting that these stones lay in this hallowed corner of this base, where aircraft fly over every day," said Colonel (Ret'd) Cy Yarnell, Master of Ceremonies and founder of the Ad Astra Stone program.

The engraved stones can be seen alongside the paths of the air park, which is adjacent to the museum, or can be found in a hard-copy registry, where people can look up names and get coordinates of a particular stone, said Mary Thow, a volunteer with the museum.

The registry is also available on a computer in the museum, which any visitor can access. The registry is much like the registries for all Commonwealth cemeteries in Europe. The stones bear the names of those who have served, or are serving, in Canada's Air Force or an allied air force, or their spouse, for example, if members of the Boards of Directors deem it acceptable.

Bearing the words "Ad Astra" and adorned by an Air Force Roundel, the stone reflects the name, hometown, province and years of birth and death, (if applicable), as dates do not appear if the person is living when the stone is installed.

Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret'd) P.B. McCulloch, chair of the museum's board of directors, encourages each and every person who has or has had an association with the Air Force to get a stone.

"I encourage any serving or retired member to become involved. It is very rewarding, not financially, but for the soul," he said.

Over the years a great connection has existed between the RCAF Memorial Museum, the Air Force Association of Canada (AFAC) and 8 Wing Trenton.

Ted Mahood, National President of AFAC said association members are always on hand to help lay stones at the museum, and he is confident the program will continue to be a success.

"Trenton, with all its lodger units, has always been the hub of (Air Force and Canadian Forces') activities, and continues to be one of the busiest air bases in Canada," said Mahood. "We, on behalf of AFAC, salute 8 Wing Trenton's 75th anniversary."

Colonel Tom Lawson, Commander, 8 Wing Trenton, took to the podium and thanked those in attendance, and those who have helped to make the museum, and the stones, such an important part of 8 Wing Trenton.

"This year, the museum will have welcomed more than 50,000 visitors, for the first time in its history," said Col Lawson. "The museum houses artifacts of those who came before us. It tells the social history of its members through its displays."

Padre Lloyd Clifton, 8 Wing Chaplain, addressed the crowd with the utmost of gratitude towards all those involved, and led the crowd through a prayer.

Col (Ret'd) Yarnell closed the ceremonies after the planned fly-by, and the release of a homing pigeon, also symbolizing "our aircrews returning to their base after a mission".

"This is a tribute to our airmen and airwomen who have already gone home to their makers," said Col (Ret'd) Yarnell.

The Ad Astra Stone began 11 years ago, back when organizers expected a couple of hundred requests but received well over 1,000.

"The stones are timeless," said Col (Ret'd) Yarnell. "Every day they remind us that generations of airmen and airwomen have worked together, and continue to work together, as a proud team in the service of Canada."

Since the approval of the designation of the Royal Canadian Air Force by King George V and the April 1, 1924 birth date of the RCAF as a permanent component of the Department of National Defence, the motto "Per Ardua ad Astra" (through adversity to the stars) remains a strong and true reflection of the purpose of Canada's Air Force.

-- With files from Lt(N) P.R. LeDrew