National Defence: Canada Is 'Most Honoured Nation' At U.S. Festival That Salutes

NATO's long-time naval headquarters was replaced in 2003 by a new headquarters, that of Allied Command Transformation, which is responsible for the continuing transformation of the Alliance with its new global security outlook. "For us at Allied Command Transformation, the Azalea Festival represents 53 years of friendship between NATO and the citizens of Norfolk and Hampton Roads," said Canadian Forces Lt. Gen. Michel Maisonneuve, ACT's chief of staff since the stand-up of the new command. "As home to the only permanent NATO headquarters outside Europe, Norfolk is a special place for the Alliance. Norfolk marks one end of the important transatlantic link that joins the North American and European arms of the Alliance," he added. As most honoured nation, Canada had the privilege of nominating this year's Queen Azalea. The Canadian community in Norfolk nominated Paulina Gretzky, 17-year-old daughter and eldest child of Wayne Gretzky and Janet Jones-Gretzky. http://www.ccnmatthews.com/news/releases/show.jsp?action=showRelease&searchText=false&showText=all&actionFor=590714 [Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on April 27, 2005]

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