Flag-raising Ceremony on Parliament Hill
April 30, 2018
On April 30, 2018, Members of Parliament joined visiting Vietnamese communities from Waterloo, Toronto, London, Ottawa, Québec, and Sherbrooke among other groups to raise the Canadian and the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag in front of the Peace Tower. In the usual tradition, the event began with the Canadian and Vietnamese national anthems followed by the official raising of the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom Flag. Senator Ngo also presented a proclamation from the City of Ottawa in recognition of April 30, 2018, as the 43rd anniversary of the fall of Saigon and as the day upon which we remember the victims of the Vietnamese War and promote human rights and fundamental freedom.
Senator Ngo also took this occasion to award the prestigious Senate 150th Anniversary Medals to three Canadians of Vietnamese heritage who have made outstanding contributions to their community. The medal recipients were Mrs. Danh Lam Nguyen and Mr. Luong Le Phan from the Vietnamese Canadian Community of Ottawa (VCCO) and Ms. Yvonne Nguyen, Vice-President of External Affairs for the Vietnamese Canadian community of Montreal. Each were presented with the medal along with a certificate of appreciation signed by the Clerk of the Senate of Canada. To mark this momentous occasion, several distinguished guests were also present and donned the Vietnamese Freedom and Scarves. Among them were The Hon. Andrew Scheer, Leader of the Official Opposition, Ms. Anne Thu Quach, MP for Salaberry-Suroît and honorable senators, Mr. Marc Gold and Mrs. Mobina Jaffer.
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