Airport renamed in honour of Canada's most decorated military veteran
It's one of Meaford's crown jewels and now has a new name in honour of one of Canada's most celebrated soldiers.
On Thursday afternoon, a large crowd gathered at what is now known as the Major General Richard Rohmer Meaford International Airport. Previously named after Billy Bishop, who also has an airport named after him in Toronto, the new owner decided to start a new chapter at the storied facility.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
"He means everything to the whole country as far as a tribute to our freedom and fighting overseas," said Rick Horwath, who recently took over ownership of the Meaford airport.
General Rohmer is Canada's most decorated veteran in military history.
As he's called even by his closest loved ones, the General was just a young man when he served overseas in the Second World War, playing pivotal roles on D-Day and in the Battle of Normandy.
While he was shot at many times while flying in the Royal Canadian Air Force over his 135 missions, his plane was only hit once.
"I'm feeling very excited about the fact that [the airport has] been renamed for me," General Rohmer told CTV News. "It's a great treasure and a great thrill to be invited to participate in it. I've flown out of this airport many times."
Thursday's gathering was attended by various dignitaries, including Meaford Mayor Ross Kentner and Ontario's Lieutenant-Governor Edith Dumont.
"He has been there for us all his life, so I think it's our time now to be right there and celebrate him," Dumont said.
During her address to the crowd, Dumont spoke of her first meeting with General Rohmer shortly after she was appointed last year. Initially slated for approximately half an hour in her schedule, their meeting went for approximately two hours, with Dumont soaking up the General's first-hand accounts of history.
"I was quite impressed that he was at the door outside waiting for me. So right away, he made me feel welcome as a new lieutenant governor," Dumont said. "I just felt welcome."
While primarily wanting to honour the legacy of General Rohmer, airport owner Rick Horwath said he hopes that the name change also sparks a renewed interest in the aviation field.
"It's gone downhill in the last few years, and I think we can revive it," Horwath said.
Thursday's gathering was nothing out of the ordinary for General Rohmer. Despite turning 100 earlier this year, the veteran maintains a relatively busy schedule, attending five events in about ten days.
Earlier this Spring, he managed to return to France as thousands of people from around the world converged to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
"It doesn't feel 100! Being 100 doesn't impact me at all," Rohmer said. "I don't intend to slow down. There's no sense in slowing down."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Environmental racism': First Nations leaders claim cancer-causing contamination was covered up
The people of Fort Chipewyan believe the federal government believe the federal government knew its water was contaminated and hid the issue for years. Now the chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation is leading the call for immediate action.
Death toll from Hurricane Helene rises to 227 as grim task of recovering bodies continues
The death toll from Hurricane Helene inched up to 227 on Saturday as the grim task of recovering bodies continued more than a week after the monster storm ravaged the Southeast and killed people in six states.
Car flies into B.C. backyard, lands upside down
A driver suffered only minor injuries after going airborne in a residential neighbourhood in Maple Ridge, B.C., on Friday, the car eventually landing on its roof in someone’s backyard.
Donald Trump, Elon Musk attend rally at same Pennsylvania grounds where gunman tried to assassinate Trump
Donald Trump returned on Saturday to the Pennsylvania fairgrounds where he was nearly assassinated in July, holding a sprawling rally with thousands of supporters in a critical swing state Trump hopes to return to his column in November's election.
Tax rebate: Canadians with low to modest incomes to receive payment
Canadians who are eligible for a GST/HST tax credit can expect their final payment of the year on Friday.
'No one has $70,000 dollars lying around': Toronto condo owners facing massive special assessment
The owners of a North York condominium say they are facing a $70,000 special assessment to fix their building's parking garage. '$70,000 is a lot of money. It makes me very nervous and stressed out of nowhere for this huge debt to come in,' said Ligeng Guo.
Police ID mom, daughter killed in Old Montreal; video shows person break into building before fatal fire
Police released the identities of the mother and daughter who were killed after a fire tore through a 160-year-old building in Old Montreal on Friday.
Frequent drinking of fizzy beverages and fruit juice are linked to an increased risk of stroke: research
New data raises questions about the drinks people consume and the potential risks associated with them, according to researchers at Galway University in Ireland, in partnership with Hamilton’s McMaster University.
'I screamed in shock and horror': Family faces deadly Vancouver hit-and-run driver during sentencing
The sentencing of the man who pleaded guilty in the deadly hit-and-run in Kitsilano two years ago began on Friday.