by Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
With Canadian flags strung from corner to corner, maple syrup candies on every table, and Canadian paraphernalia at every turn, Canadian, U.S., Australian, coalition and mission partners celebrated Canadas birthday July 1, 2013, at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia. The evenings activities ranged from a Canadian trivia game to a guitar solo to board games. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
With Canadian flags strung from corner to corner, maple syrup candies on every table, and Canadian paraphernalia at every turn, Canadian, U.S., Australian, coalition and mission partners celebrated Canadas birthday July 1, 2013, at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia. The evenings activities ranged from a Canadian trivia game to a guitar solo to board games. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
With Canadian flags strung from corner to corner, maple syrup candies on every table, and Canadian paraphernalia at every turn, Canadian, U.S., Australian, coalition and mission partners celebrated Canadas birthday July 1, 2013, at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia. The evenings activities ranged from a Canadian trivia game to a guitar solo to board games. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
Canadian Air Forces Maj. Mike Hagen thanks people for coming to the Canada Day celebration held in the Pyramid morale tent at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, July 1, 2013. Hagen is the Canadian 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron commander. With Canadian flags strung from corner to corner, maple syrup candies on every table, and Canadian paraphernalia at every turn, Canadian, U.S., Australian, coalition and mission partners celebrated Canadas birthday. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
Canadian Air Forces Capt. Alex Brault and U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Brianna Spivey watch as a special rendition of the Canadian national anthem is played during the Canada Day celebration at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, July 1, 2013. Brault is the Canadian 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron director of operations and Spivey is a U.S. Air Force 71st EACS air battle manager deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
Canadian Air Forces Capt. Alex Brault and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Daniela Barahona share experiences during the Canada Day celebration at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, July 1, 2013. Brault is the Canadian 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron director of operations and Barahona is a U.S. Air Force 71st EACS radio frequency transmission systems technician deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Darin Humiston gives Canadian Air Forces Maj. Mike Hagen a piece of cake during the Canada Day celebration at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, July 1, 2013. Humiston is the U.S. Air Force 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron commander and Hagen is the Canadian 71st EACS commander. Deployed service members shared in activities ranging from a Canadian trivia game, guitar solo and board games. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Lou Lanton plays guitar while he sings Canadian-centric songs he wrote especially for the Canada Day celebration held in the Pyramid morale tent at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, July 1, 2013. Lanton is the U.S. Air Force 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron crew superintendent deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Brianna Spivey takes part in a Canada Day Team Trivia competition during the Canada Day celebration at the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in Southwest Asia, July 1, 2013. Spivey is a U.S. Air Force 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron air battle manager deployed from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Benjamin Stratton)
7/3/2013 – SOUTHWEST ASIA — With Canadian flags strung from corner to corner, maple syrup candies on every table, and Canadian paraphernalia at every turn, Canadian, U.S., Australian, coalition and mission partners celebrated Canada’s birthday July 1 during an event hosted by the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron here in what is known as the “Pyramid” morale tent.
Canada Day is a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of the July 1, 1867, enactment of the British North America Act, or what is now referred to as the Constitution Act of 1867. This legislature united three colonies into a single country called Canada within the British Empire.
Many communities across the country host organized celebrations for Canada Day, usually outdoor public events, such as parades, carnivals, festivals, barbecues, air and maritime shows, fireworks and free musical concerts.
Deployed service members here shared similar activities ranging from a Canadian trivia game, guitar solo and board games. Game prizes were affectionately adorned with red and white maple leafs and included everything from ball caps and t-shirts to Canadian flag pins and tattoos.
Benjamin W. Stratton 