Back to ISAR 2007
(Click Here To See Photos)
September 27, Toronto. The busy and bustling city of Toronto has thrown open her doors and offereToronto, September 29. The City of Toronto and it’s weather folks prepared a fine day for the ceremony, held outdoors in the center of the Harbor Side activity area.
Following an impressive color guard from the Canadian CG Cutter “Griffin” the anthems of Canada and the U.S. we presented with appropriate pomp and circumstance by the band from the same cutter. The Chaplain of the Arctic and Central Region of the Canadian CG Auxiliary offered the opening benediction.
The special guests on the dais offered words of greeting and friendly rivalry. Commissioner DuPont of the Canadian Coast Guard reflected on the close ties and similarity of the work of both Auxiliaries. Vice Commandant of the USCG, Vice Admiral Crea also remarked on the value of each organization to its parent unit. VADM Crea did remark that, “This was our year to finally win this competition.”
President of the Canadian CG Auxiliary Dunderdale offered up his “tongue-in-cheek” best wishes for success in the events to the UUCG Auxiliary. He followed with a warm handshake with the next speaker, NACO Steve Budar.
USCG Auxiliary National Commodore Steve Budar praised the work of the ISAR committee and offered his congratulations to all of the contestants for reaching the final events here in Toronto. “You are all winners since you had to prove your ability to compete and win the local competitions back home,” said Budar.
Following the tradition of ISAR a prayer was offered for the men and women who have been lost at sea. “There is no tombstone to mark your final resting place so we therefore offer this wreath to be carried and deposited at sea in your memory,” said CCGA Chaplain Anderson.
Commodore Budar and President Dunderdale then carried the wreath to dockside where it was transferred to a waiting Canadian CG Auxiliary vessel. The procession was accompanied by the playing of the pipes and an offering of Taps by the band’s bugler.