Rose celebrates CF women
Shelley Lipke, Staff writer
The 2010 Navy Lady Rose will have its first of many Canadian dedication ceremonies this year starting at CFB Esquimalt on March 8. The event also commemorates International Women's Day and the Canadian Naval Centennial (CNC).
More than a dozen local veterans of the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS) will gather with currently serving Canadian Forces naval women to celebrate women in the navy's past and present.
Most WRCNS veterans are in their mid to late 80s and are excited to talk with today's naval women, says 84-year-old veteran Barbara Duncan.
"I'm really looking forward to the ceremony at the Wardroom. We can swap salty dips and us oldies will enjoy meeting the younger naval ladies," she says.
Three Navy Lady Rose bushes will be presented in pots on the Wardroom patio overlooking the ocean. These rose bushes will flourish and bloom in late spring and summer displaying deep red petals.
"We have seen it growing in the fields and we were very pleased with the red velvet petals and the dark green leaves. It is red to signify remembrance," says Joan Balch, a member of the Wren Association of Toronto, and the Rose Committee who started this project on behalf of the CNC. "I hope this rose will link the naval communities' together, act as a reminder of the past, present and future in gardens for years to come, and signify the navy and its men and women of all ranks and services."
More rose dedication ceremonies will follow across Canada when the ground thaws. Several more will also take place in Victoria.
"Butchart Gardens will be planting five bushes and dedicating them with a ceremony, and I've been in contact with Government house, the Pacific Horticultural Society and Royal Roads University about similar planting ceremonies," said Duncan.
The flower is dark red, has a mild fragrance and several bloom cycles throughout the summer. The Wrens anticipate Navy Lady blossoms will bring the navy to the gardens of Canadians for years to come.
The Rose bush is grown exclusively by J.C. Bakker Nurseries in St Catharines, ON, and will be distributed to selected nurseries across the country. The Rose committee hopes to see the rose planted alongside all major Centennial celebrations.
The price for each rose bush is set by the retail location. In British Columbia it is available exclusively through Select Rose in Langley (604-530-5786) and each rose bush is selling for $28.50. To see the list of retailers in other provinces go to www.thewrens.com.
This year there are a limited numbers available.
