Dear Editor:
Defence Minister Peter MacKays reinstatement of the Royal prefix to the armed services is welcome news indeed.
As a proud retired member of the Royal Canadian Air Force, I fell the ignominious removal of this honourable designation in the 1960s totally unwarranted. It shook the foundation of our military existence and traditions, which were already scarred by earlier unification of the three forces.
I was stationed at the head shed in Ottawa (1965) when word came down the pipe from then-defence minister Hellyers office announcing the unification of our armed forces. The atmosphere in the halls of #8 Temp Building was unholy not the Christmas wish list for the three services.
Several capable senior career officers requested early retirement. The loss of pride and identity was felt by all three services.
Despite this, our forces are still number one.
Jim Ashworth
Invermere
