Shortened version: Mess Dinner Guide
During Dinner
When the CO and/or the senior guest arrive: all members shall rise as a form of courtesy.
When the Honoured Guest and Head Table arrives: PMC shall escort the Honoured Guest to the head table followed by the CO who shall escort the next senior guest.
The V/PMC shall take their position as soon as all cadets have entered the dining room and have taken their places.
Once everyone has taken their place the VPMC advises the PMC that everyone is present – “Mr. PMC, all diners are present”
The PMC taps the table for silence.
Members and guests should stand behind their chairs until the PMC calls upon a chaplain or a designated member to say grace.
Grace: “Padre or (Name), would you offer the blessing” A simple blessing is given such as “For what we are about to receive, thank God”, diners will reply Amen”.
Diners seat themselves: Only by pulling their chairs to the right and moving to the left side of the chair to sit.
After Dinner
When the table is cleared: The senior steward reports to the PMC, “Table cleared, Sir/Madam/Ma’am”. The PMC taps the table for silence and grace is said as before; the customary prayer being: “For what we have received, thank God”.
Toasts
Passing the Port
The port decanter never touches the table, symbolizing the flying aspect of the Air Force.
The PMC removes the stopper, pours a partial glass, samples it as one would wine before serving it, and passes the decanter to the left.
The last persons to receive the Port are the PMC and V/PMCs. After they pour their Port, stoppers are placed back onto the decanters.
No one may touch their port until the Loyal Toast has been proposed.
The Loyal Toast
After the port has been passed, the PMC raps for silence, rises and, addressing the V/PMC, says, “Mr/Madam Vice, the King of Canada”. The V/PMC then rises and, addressing the diners, says “Ladies and Gentlemen, The King”.
Other Toasts
If an official representative from a foreign state is present, a toast should be made to the head of state. When more than one country is represented, the national anthems are generally played in alphabetical order. Where there are a large number of official foreign guests, it is acceptable to toast “The Heads of State here represented.”
Playing of March Pasts
It is customary for all diners to be identified by a march pasts.
The RCAF March Past
Air Force
La Feuille d’Erable
CIC
When the diner hears their march past, they shall stand and remain standing until the completion of the music.
Fallen Comrades Toast
This may take the form of a simple toast “To Fallen Comrades” requested by the PMC or one of the members present.
Following the Toasts
The PMC and/or the host to recognize the serving staff and drink a toast with the Chief Cook.
The PMC will then make any announcements appropriate to the occasion, and introduce the Official Host (CO).
The Official host will introduce the Guest of Honor and ask them to say a few words. Once this is complete, the CO shall be free to present any other awards, promotions. The PMC, Official Host and Guest of Honor are not to be interrupted during their remarks.
Additional Toasts
After the two toasts have been made the PMC may open up the floor for the diners to make toasts. Toasts should be meaningful, honest, and relevant to the function of the mess.
Dismissal
The senior member indicates dinner is officially over by standing until noticed by all diners. It is customary for other members to stand until all guests at the head table have left the room. The PMC accompanies official guests to the lounge while the V/PMC remains until all guests have left the dining room.
An Airman’s Grace
Lord of thunder head and sky
Who placed in man the will to fly
Who taught his hand speed, skill and grace
To soar beyond man’s dwelling place
You shared with him the eagles view
The right to soar as eagles do
The right to call the clouds his home
And grateful through your heavens roam
May all assembled here tonight
And all who love the thrill of flight
Recall with twofold gratitude
Your gift of Wings, Your gift of food
Amen
Father John W. MacGillivary (deceased)
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