Kingston, Ontario –On St. John Day, June 24/2009 at 2:00 p.m. the Loyalist branch of St. John Ambulance and Mayor Harvey Rosen will permanently retire the national St. John Banner to Memorial Hall, City Hall.
Following military tradition, a retired colour is never destroyed because of its historical value and the Royal authority that it represents. Given the close relationship between St. John Ambulance and the Royal Military College of Canada it is fitting and appropriate that the retired Priory of Canada Banner join the two Colours of the College in Memorial Hall, Kingston City Hall.
The inaugural St. John first aid course in Ontario was conducted at the Royal Military College of Canada for, “the benefit of the Gentlemen Cadets and Staff” in 1883-1884. The St. John Council for Ontario formally retired its Priory of Canada Banner at the Annual General Meeting held at the Royal Military College on June 6, 2009. This was part of the 125th anniversary of St. John in Ontario. In its place a new banner was dedicated before His Honour, David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Vice-Prior of St. John Council for Ontario.
Rob White, Chair of St. John Council for Ontario will be on hand for the ceremony along with Superintendent of the Loyalist Therapy Dog division Monique Grambin-White and her therapy dog Toulouse as well as uniformed members of the St. John Loyalist Branch.
For additional information please contact:
Gord Hunter
Branch Manager
St. John Ambulance
Loyalist Branch - Kingston office
541 Days Road, Unit 6B
Kingston, ON K7M 3R8
Tel. No. 613-384-8062
gord.hunter@on.sja.ca
Background: St. John Ambulance began its service to the province of Ontario in Kingston at the Royal Military College in 1884. Since then, we have strived to enable Canadians to improve their health, safety and quality of life by providing training and community service. Formerly named after the City of Kingston, the local St. John Branch was renamed the Loyalist Branch on June 6, 2009 to represent the communities we support from Gananoque through to Brighton. The Head Office for the Loyalist Branch is located in Kingston on Days Road.