Rocky Mtn. Region, Canadian Cadets Honor Fallen with HART Ceremony

The Rocky Mountain Region and the Royal Canadian Air Cadets conducted their 10th annual HART (Honoring Allies Remembering Together) ceremony Nov. 14, honoring the fallen from both the U.S. and Canada during the Remembrance Day and Veterans Day periods.

Both Gold Star and Memorial Cross families participate in the observation, which this year was held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic. About 120 cadets from the five Rocky Mountain Region wings – Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming – normally travel to Canada to participate.

In previous years, HART ceremonies have been held on international border-crossing bridges at Sweetwater, Montana,Calais, Maine, and St. Stephen, New Brunswick; Detroit and Windsor, Ontario; and the Alaskan/Canadian border

“What a wonderful, appropriate and powerful way to commemorate those who have fallen, both Canadian and United States,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Smith, Civil Air Patrol national commander, addressing the participants and online onlookers.

“I am particularly humbled and thankful for the participation in this year’s ceremony by Canadian Memorial Cross families as well as Gold Star families. We are deeply indebted to you for your sacrifice, and thank you for being with us today,” Smith said.

“May this year’s virtual ceremony be truly meaningful and may next year’s ceremony be in person.”

 Cadet Lt. Col. Isaac Stone of the Colorado Wing’s Colorado Springs Cadet Squadron spoke for his fellow Rocky Mountain Region cadets: “HART is an opportunity for cadets from both Canada and America to share a ceremony remembering our wartime allies and joining together in honoring those men and women who gave their lives in service to their country.

“HART reminds us of the sacrifice that many have given to maintain peace across the globe ,and it’s also a rare chance for cadets to meet counterparts from Canada or America and spend time learning about the different programs and each other,” Stone said.