Consulate General Vancouver's Independence Day celebration

A light drizzle didn't dampen the celebratory spirit of Consulate General Vancouver's Independence Day celebration on July 6.

Consul General Phil Chicola and the honorable Lt. Gov. Steven Point, representing the British Columbia provincial government, both spoke about the close ties between the U.S. and Canada, particularly between British Columbia and Washington State. The lieutenant governor, an elected chief of the Skowkale First Nation for 15 years and former tribal chair of the Sto:lo Nation government, said because First Nations territories extend to both sides of the international border he was able to work in the U.S. when he was young. Ties between the two countries are so close that he holds a U.S. social security number from those days.

Consul General Chicola read President Obama's July 4 message to some 370 guests at the garden party (see entire message on this website).

In his message, the President cited today's extraordinary challenges, waging two wars, battling a deep recession, dealing with spiraling health care costs, inadequate schools and a dependence on foreign oil. However, he said, "We are not a people who fear the future. We are a people who make it. On this July 4, we need to summon once more the spirit that inhabited Independence Hall two hundred and thirty-three years ago today."

Contributing to the celebration were the color guard, comprised of members of the 39 Canadian Brigade Group HQ and U.S. Marine Aviation Training Support Group 53, and a brass quintet provided by the Band of the Fifteenth Field Regiment, Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery. Mark Donnelly, anthem singer for the Vancouver Canucks, led the crowd in singing the Star-Spangled Banner and O Canada.

This was the first July 4 celebration hosted by Consul General Chicola.

[Read Joy Metcalfe's account]

See Independence day celebration photos from M. Naseer Pirzada, managing editor for The Miracle newspaper serving B.C.’s Muslim community. Mr. Pirzada says, “It was a pleasure to be there.” Click here.