As the Royal Canadian Air Force C-130 Hercules flew overhead, the smile on Richard Earl’s face grew wider.
“I’ve never experienced a fly-by until today. It was in my honour and it’s very, very humbling,” said Earl, an RCAF veteran, as he celebrated his 100 birthday with friends, family and air force personnel on Wednesday.
The RCAF is honouring 100 years of service, having been formed on April 1, 1924.
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press
Richard Earl with his daughter and members of the RCAF celebrate his 100th birthday, Tuesday.
To mark both occasions, the Hercules flew over Earl’s assisted-living centre in Fort Garry as partygoers cheered and applauded.
Earl, who was born on July 3, 1924, was one of the first members of 435 Squadron, which was established in India in 1944 and disbanded in 1946, after the Second World War. While he was stationed in India and Burma (present-day Myanmar), he flew supplies to the British army so they could fight the Japanese. He remembers how thick the forests were as he flew over Burma.
The squadron was later reactivated in Edmonton and relocated to 17 Wing in Winnipeg in 1994. Some current members of 435 Squadron were present to give Earl a framed picture of himself when the squadron took him for a ride five years ago.
“It was beautiful to see that Hercules again. After being in the cockpit and to see it coming overhead for these people here, it’s just wonderful. Thank you very much,” said Earl, who had been put in touch with the 435 Squadron after it moved to Winnipeg.
“I never realized that one day I will be standing here before you, a celebrated former member of 435 Squadron when that was organized in India,” said Earl.
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press
Richard Earl with a photo of him in a C-130 Hercules when he visited the RCAF hanger. Earl joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at age 18 and served in the Second World War.
Lt.-Col. Josh Leveque, commanding officer of 435 Squadron, gave Earl the framed cockpit picture. He said it’s humbling to celebrate with Earl, whose history is intertwined with that of the squadron.
“I’m the 38th commanding officer for 435 Squadron. To have someone who stood up with the first commanding officer for 435 Squadron during the war, I have no words to truly describe what that means,” said Leveque.
Along with the picture, Earl was given a red and white quilt called a Quilt of Valour, created by a nonprofit for veterans, and the 17 Wing’s official colours and coin.
“It’s truly magnificent Mr. Earl is still able to provide us with the stories he can leave us with that allow us to remember a very dark time in the world, but something that we definitely have to remember. It’s an honour to be able to see and hear those stories first-hand,” said Leveque.
Earl’s two daughters and son joined him in the celebrations. Emily Earl and Delanie Rhymer felt emotional seeing the RCAF honour their father.
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press
Earl with Premier Wab Kinew as he cuts into his birthday cake, Tuesday.
“It just meant everything. This is his day and he deserves all the honours he has gotten. We’re very, very proud.” said Rhymer.
The Hercules wasn’t the only honoured guest. Premier Wab Kinew popped by and said it was a special day to celebrate a centenarian who’s also a Second World War veteran.
“We’ve got Mr. Earl, who’s made great contributions to our province and country. And by way of saying thanks to him, we can also say thanks to so many people who’ve built the Manitoba and Canada that we love so much,” said Kinew.
matthew.frank@freepress.mb.ca
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press
The RCAF C-130 Hercules did a fly-by to mark two milestones: Earl’s 100th birthday and the RCAF turning 100 this year.