Commemorating the 35th Anniversary of the Gulf War
March 17, 2026
Brook Bangsboll, LCol (Ret)
Gulf War Veteran and
Executive Director of the RCAF Association
In January 2026, I was honoured to be asked to participate, as a Gulf War Veteran Delegate as part of the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) sponsored 35th Anniversary of the Gulf War commemorative event program.
Veterans Affairs Canada, in partnership with the Persian Gulf War Veterans of Canada Association —organized a series of commemorative activities to mark the 35th anniversary of the end of the Gulf War and Canada’s participation in Operation Friction. These events were held in Halifax from 26–28 February and in Ottawa on 3–4 March 2026, bringing together Gulf War veterans, government representatives, and members of the public to honour the more than 4,000 Canadians who served in the Persian Gulf region in 1990–1991 as part of the international coalition that liberated Kuwait and expel the armed forces of Iraq.
The commemorations began in Halifax with a ceremonial gathering at the cenotaph of the Royal Canadian Legion Fairview Branch 142, where veterans, serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and local residents gathered to remember the contributions and sacrifices of those who deployed during the conflict. The ceremony included wreath-laying, remarks from dignitaries, and opportunities for Gulf War veterans to share their experiences. The presence of representatives from the Canadian Association of Gulf War Veterans was central to the event, as the organization continues to advocate for recognition of those who served in the Gulf and to preserve the legacy of Canada’s role in the conflict.
The commemorations highlighted the leadership of Harold Davis, Chairman of the Persian Gulf War Veterans Association of Canada and Jill McKnight, the Minister of Veterans Affairs, who emphasized the importance of recognizing modern-era veterans and ensuring their contributions are remembered alongside those of earlier generations. In her remarks, she underlined how commemorative initiatives strengthen the connection between Canadians and the veterans who served in international operations. The Halifax activities were also supported by the Premier of Nova Scotia, Tim Houston, whose participation reflected the province’s long-standing ties to Canada’s naval and military heritage.
An important feature of the Halifax program was the screening of a documentary on the Gulf War, which presented archival footage, personal testimonies, and historical context about Canada’s role in the coalition effort. The film and the question period following, offered attendees—particularly younger audiences—an opportunity to better understand the experiences of Canadian sailors, soldiers, aviators, and medical personnel who deployed to the Middle East during the conflict. A highlight for many of the veterans was the Saturday morning parade on the Navy quay in Halifax harbour with a sail past of two Canadian Navy vessels and a fly past of a CP-140 Aurora.
The commemorative activities continued in Ottawa on 3 and 4 March 2026 with a national ceremony at the Beechwood National Cemetery, home to the National Military Cemetery of Canada, and at the Canadian National War Memorial. Hosted in partnership with Gulf War Veterans of Canada, the ceremonies brought together veterans, families, and government officials to pay tribute to those who served. Through speeches, ceremonial honours, and moments of reflection, participants reaffirmed the importance of remembrance and the lasting legacy of Canadian service during the Gulf War.
Together, the Halifax and Ottawa commemorations underscored Canada’s commitment to honouring Gulf War veterans and ensuring their service remains recognized in the broader narrative of Canada’s military history.
Not only was this an appropriate opportunity to commemorate this important military event in Canadian history, it was a grand opportunity for Canadian, and some American Gulf War veterans to gather together, re-connect and spend a few days reminiscing about their war-time experiences. All the veterans, moving a bit more slowly, with hair a bit greyer, wearing their medals on their business suit jackets, or Royal Canadian Legion, Navy or Air Force Association blazers, all stood proudly during the many commemorative events. These proud Gulf War veterans…proud Canadians from across Canada, who continue to serve their communities and many ways.
