Thieves won’t steal the show, vows Vanier ‘flag man’
Supporters replace stolen collection
The Flag Man of Vanier is back in business.
A year after two dozen of his Canadian flags were stolen just before Canada Day, Henry McCambridge is featuring a grander flag display to ring in Canada’s 150th birthday.
“We’re just showing that these young punks who stole them last year can’t deny us our festivities this year,” McCambridge said. “Us seniors are not just going to lay low and die. We did our own little presentation.”
McCambridge, 71, takes enormous pride in his flag display at Fatima Manor, a community housing residence for seniors at 280 Montfort St. So, he was devastated to wake up a week before Canada Day 2016 to find flags taken from the fences of the property, including several large flags donated by Ottawa-Vanier MP Mauril Bélanger, who died of ALS last August.
To his delight, McCambridge has been overwhelmed with support since the news of the thefts.
“It was like a procession coming in here with the flags for us,” McCambridge said. “There was quite the showing of patriotism, I must admit.
“OC Transpo drivers were stopping in front and dropping off flags for us. Children were coming in, politicians.”
Others who stepped up include the Vanier Community Service Centre, Ottawa Community Housing and the Bank of Montreal — all sent donations to help the Manor wave the flags on July 1.
Today, every balcony in the seven-storey building has a Canadian flag draped on its side, a show of determination by the seniors who live there, McCambridge said. A gazebo in the courtyard is also decked out in red and white.
Luckily, McCambridge still has a couple of flags left from the many donated by Bélanger over the years.
Not to show all his cards, McCambridge promises the best and brightest display won’t be seen until July 1.
As for the fence area, prone to sticky-fingered thieves, those flags are being taken down each evening before July 1.
Passersby are appreciating the effort to brighten up the area.
We’re just showing that these young punks who stole them last year can’t deny us our festivities this year.
“People are stopping and taking pictures, admiring the work that we’ve done,” McCambridge said. He wants weekend visitors to savour the five community garden beds, complete with sheds.
“We like people to see we’re very active here,” McCambridge said.
McCambridge and his beloved dog, Gracie, “my little hunny-bunny,” are standing guard.
A few kilometres removed from the Parliament Hill festivities, Fatima Manor’s Canada Day will begin with a barbecue at 11 a.m. and blend into an outdoor party at the local Legion in the afternoon and evening, with music, dancing and a view of the Hill fireworks.
“Come and enjoy what we have and enjoy Canada,” McCambridge said. “Open arms to everybody.”
As for the flags he and other tenants worked so hard to showcase, McCambridge says, you’re welcome.
“What do they call it in Hollywood? It was a labour of love.”