December 11: Let freeedom ring

A message received from Maritime Forces Pacific:

MARP 084/09

Dec. 10, 2009

NAVY OBSERVES HISTORIC DATE ON FRIDAY

ESQUIMALT, B.C. - Canada's development as an independent nation is marked Friday, when Canadian Navy ships in harbour fly the Royal Union Flag from the masthead from sunrise to sunset. Dec. 11 is the Statute of Westminster Day, the 78th anniversary of the British Parliament passing legislation confirming Canada as a self-governing nation and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Canada and five other nations were no longer considered colonies of Great Britain when the legislation passed the British Parliament on Dec. 11, 1931. Canada played the leading role at several conferences that led to the modernization of the relationship between Britain and other members of the British Empire [more here].

The Royal Union Flag, generally known as the Union Flag or "Jack," was approved on Dec. 18, 1964 for continued use as a symbol of Canada's membership in the Commonwealth of Nations and of the allegiance to the Crown with the Sovereign as Head of State. It is flown from the masthead of Canadian Navy ships and on federal buildings across Canada unless it would displace the national flag; and then it is not flown. The two ceremonial occasions it is displayed are on Dec. 11 and on Commonwealth Day, the second Monday in March.

The Jack: