Mr. Craig A. Mcphee Founder and President Wreaths Across Canada Appointed to the MNCTP Board of Honorary Governors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 3, 2016

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Mr. Craig A. Mcphee

(Left) Mr. Craig McPhee, Founder and President, Wreaths Across Canada, and (Right) General Jonathan Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff, Canadian Armed Forces, attending the 2015 Beechwood National Military Ceremony, Ottawa, ON, Canada.

Today – Mr. Stéphane Ouellette, President and Chief Executive Officer, Merchant Navy Commemorative Theme Project (MNCTP), appointed Mr. Craig A. McPhee, Founder and President, Wreaths Across Canada (WAC), to the Board of Honorary Governors of the MNCTP.

Mr. McPhee received his first post at the Air Transport Command Headquarters in Lachine, Québec, and was then posted to the 41st NORAD Division in North Bay, Ontario. This was followed by a tour of duty, as an instructor at the Canadian Forces School of Intelligence and Security, at Camp Borden. Mr. McPhee also did tours at the National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, and retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in 1982.

As the Founder and President of Wreaths Across Canada, Mr. McPhee has demonstrated outstanding support and appreciation to the Canadian Armed Forces through his work. In 2011, Mr. McPhee presided over the first annual wreath laying ceremony, held at the Beechwood National Military Cemetery, located in Ottawa, Ontario, in honour of deceased Canadian veterans.

This first time national event was attended by General Walter Natynczyk, as the Guest of Honour, (then) Chief of the Defense Staff (CDS) for the Canadian Armed Forces. Over 2,800 wreaths were placed on the headstones by over 1,500 people that attended this historic event.

“It was an honour to participate in such a moving and emotional event to remember the services and sacrifices of our fallen comrades. Craig McPhee is to be congratulated for his leadership in mobilizing Canadians to honour those who fell to protect Canada.”

General (Ret’d) Walt Natynczyk CMM MSC CD, Deputy Minister, Veterans Affairs Canada

Mr. McPhee and Mr. Ouellette met at the launching of the Colonel John Gardam Lifetime Achievement Award that was held at the 2015 CDA/CDA Institute Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence, located at Fairmont Chateau Laurier, in Ottawa, Ontario. It was at that time that they began discussions on collaborative opportunities to jointly advance the cause of our veterans.

“Mr. McPhee is an inspirational veteran, dedicated to honouring and remembering all the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces for their services and sacrifices to preserving freedom and democracy in Canada and worldwide.”

“Mr. McPhee and I share mutual admiration and respect for Colonel (Ret’d) John Gardam, a common friend and mentor. Colonel Gardam’s decisive leadership, expertise, and positive encouragement were key in the success of both the MNCTP and WAC organizations.”

Mr. Stéphane Ouellette, President and CEO, MNCTP

The MNCTP is a "Canadian driven" initiative dedicated to educating Canadians and the international community about the sacrifices and contributions made by the Canadian, Allied Merchant Navies, and the American Merchant Marine during WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.

Through the Global Maritime Promotion Integration and Outreach Strategy (GMPIOS), intended to unify nations of the world under common veterans’ and maritime themes, the MNCTP promotes our Merchant Navy and Merchant Marine Veterans as part of Canada's, the United States of America’s, and indeed, the world's rich maritime heritage.

For more information on the Allied Merchant Navies, the American Merchant Marine, the Colonel John Gardam Lifetime Achievement Award, and Wreaths Across Canada, please select:

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