'It was beautiful to see': Hercules flyover marks Winnipegger’s 100th birthday
It was a giant celebration for a giant birthday in south Winnipeg Wednesday, which featured a flyover from the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
Richard Earl celebrated his 100th birthday and as part of the festivities, a CC-130H Hercules from the 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron flew over where he lives.
A large smile broke out on Earl's face the second the Hercules roared up above.
"I've never experienced a fly-pass until today and it was in my honour, which is very, very humbling," said Earl. "It was beautiful to see that Hercules up in the air."
He was a radio operator on the CC-129 Douglas Dakota, which was a transport aircraft used by the 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron during the Second World War.
He was also one of the original members of the 435 squadron serving in Burma and India and the Canadian Armed Forces said he has reconnected with the squadron over the last number of years.
"I never realized they were based in Winnipeg until a friend told me."
It isn't just Earl who is celebrating his 100th birthday, as the RCAF is also marking 100 years.
He said it's pretty special to have that connection to the air force.
On the ground was Lt. Col. Josh Leveque, the commanding officer for the 435 squadron. He helped present a number of gifts to Earl in recognition of the significant day.
"We are extremely humbled to be able to celebrate with our veterans for all the contributions they made to Canada in the war, and specifically this event where it’s a 100th birthday of an original 435 squadron member, which is exceptional," said Leveque.
Leveque is the 38th commanding officer of the squadron and said it means a lot to him to be part of the celebration.
"To be able to celebrate this event with a member who was there at the very stand up of the squadron I'm so proud of, it's impossible to put into words what that means to me."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6953874.1720232402!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Protesters smash windows at McGill University; police use tear gas to disperse crowd
Montreal police deployed tear gas as they dispersed a crowd of protesters participating in a pro-Palestinian demonstration after members of the group smashed windows at McGill University Friday evening.
Biden rejects independent medical evaluation in ABC interview as he fights to stay in race
U.S. President Joe Biden, fighting to save his endangered reelection effort, used a highly anticipated TV interview Friday to repeatedly reject taking an independent medical evaluation that would show voters he is up for serving another term in office while blaming his disastrous debate performance on a 'bad episode' and saying there were 'no indications of any serious condition.'
Canada beat Venezuela on penalties to reach Copa America semifinals
Canada claimed a 4-3 penalty shootout win over Venezuela on Friday to reach the Copa America semifinals for the first time after an absorbing contest finished 1-1.
Owe money for CERB? Here's how the CRA is getting it back
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) may face some hurdles in collecting the money loaned through COVID-19 pandemic relief programs, like the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), according to a tax lawyer.
Stay away from hogweed: What you need to know about these pesky and dangerous plants
Hogweed is harmful to humans and, experts say, the invasive species has become a growing problem in southern Ontario.
N.B. man denied flight due to tear in passport’s seam
What seemed to be a minor passport issue turned into a major problem for a New Brunswick man who was denied a boarding pass from Air Canada.
Earth's core has slowed so much it's moving backward, scientists confirm. Here's what it could mean
Deep inside Earth is a solid metal ball that rotates independently of our spinning planet, like a top whirling around inside a bigger top, shrouded in mystery.
Summer jobs could prove tough to come by for students, according to latest job stats
Statistics Canada’s latest jobs report shows youth unemployment reached a near decade high.
Ottawa woman, 49, wins $70 million, plans to help community
An Ottawa woman, who has survived cancer and has overcome addiction, has won $70 million with Lotto Max.