Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre Spring Fling fundraiser is March 21, 2020

SAVE THE DATE!   March 21, 2020 - Our Spring Fling fundraiser for Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre is being held at the Royal Canadian Legion #54, come dressed in clothes from the era.
WWII 1940's era dinner, dance &  costume party!

Visit our FB event page
https://www.facebook.com/events/1353278484795791/

- Belt Drive Betty

7th Annual UN NATO Canada Veterans – Edmonton Crew’s Show and Shine and BBQ

7^th Annual UN NATO Canada Veterans – Edmonton Crew’s Show and Shine and BBQ
by Ray Ralph of the Harley-Davidson Edmonton Community & Mayor of Devon

I was fortunate to attend this years 7^th annual UN NATO Canada Veterans – Edmonton Crew’s Show and Shine and BBQ which was held at the Kipnes Centre for Veterans.

The Kipnes Centre is home to more than 80 veterans, with the eldest turning 101 years old this year. The centre provides 24/7 nursing care as well as other support such as physiotherapy, recreation therapy, occupational therapy, social worker, dietician, music therapy and spiritual care. The centre itself has 100 registered volunteers. This years one day event raised approximately $2540 which was generated through the registration fees for the show and shine, silent auction, 50/50 draw and the cost of the BBQ for non-residents. I must give a big hat’s off to everyone who made this event such a success, especially the two key organizers Don and Sheila.

The event started with several of the members of the Edmonton Crew meeting at the Edmonton Garrison and then arriving at the same time on their motorcycles which created lots of excitement for the residents to kick off the afternoon of activities. Mother nature was good this year and the weather was terrific for enjoying a BBQ. The UN NATO Canada Edmonton crew took care of all the supplies including doing all the cooking of the burgers and Hot Dogs and offer’s the BBQ to the residents at no cost to them. The Show & Shine portion of the event had 16 bikes and 4 classic vehicles registered.

There were also two gentlemen who were offering rides to the residents in their Urals which was a giant hit.

It is great to see some of the increased mobility equipment and other purchases that the centre has been able to make over the years for the residents through these fund-raising activities. As one of the Board members of the Kipnes Centre stated at the event. “without these funds raised through these events they would not have the money to purchase these items”. 

You can see and feel the appreciation from the staff, residents and their families when you look around the room when the prizes for the Show and Shine are being presented and the announcement of the additional funds generated to assist with additional purchases in the future.

This year was my second year of being able to attend this event and present a cheque to the UN NATO Canada Veterans – Edmonton Crew in support of the Kipnes Centre on behalf of the Edmonton Harley Davidson Motorcycle Community through our Calendar sales and Annual Motorcycle Fashion show. In 2018 the E.H.D.M.C. has raised over $11,000.00 for the centre.

If it wasn’t for these men and women who put their lives on the line for us we would not be enjoying the freedom we have today. I am hoping that the Edmonton Crew hold another event next year

Photos by Ray Ralph, Gerald Maximilien & Charles Issaacs

What does Remembrance mean to you?

November 11^th is fast approaching and the question I have had on my mind for the last few days’ centers around remembrance and what it means to you.

After the unveiling ceremony for the Afghanistan War Monument here in Grande Prairie, it became very obvious to me that like everything in life, there are varying degrees of remembrance and various reasons for remembrance.

Our monument and the 4 individual memorials that pay tribute to the fallen connected to Grande Prairie and region attracted approximately 70 citizens for the dedication ceremony. In spite of having done a lot of marketing on radio, social media etc. the weather tanked on us and therefore people just didn’t come out.

My question is a simple one, what moves you to honour or remember our soldiers and their sacrifices, their families and their enduring sacrifices?

I ask as a kid who grew up in a military family. My father did not care of it was 40 below out, on Remembrance day, unless you were advanced in your years and infirm, you were at the cenotaph on Remembrance Day, no ifs, ands or buts.

I remember his diatribes well, “Those soldiers fought in all kinds of weather, conditions, they didn’t get snow days, or days off while in the battlefield, a little snow and cold isn’t gonna’ hurt you for an hour.”

When I compare where we live to the images I see around the world, when I get on my motorcycle or attend a meeting with other business women, I feel so blessed and grateful and I know I have to opportunity I have in part because of our military, their service and their sacrifice and the sacrifices their families make as a result.

Do you honour Remembrance Day?

Do you attend an indoor or outdoor ceremony? Tell me why you chose the service you did too please.

If you don’t honour Remembrance Day, may I ask why? I really, truly would like to try and understand.

Here in Grande Prairie we have two services on Remembrance Day, I’ll be at the cenotaph, because that’s what my father would expect of me were he still alive.

I leave you with this snippet of the poem “For the Fallen”

Belt Drive Betty,

Editor & Rider

For the Fallen (stanzas 2-3)

Robert Laurence Binyon, by artist William Strang.

Poem by Robert Laurence Binyon (1869-1943), published in The Times newspaper on 21^st September 1914.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

WIN TICKETS to Big Smoke Revival Dinner March 25th, 2017 in Camrose!

In Support Army Cadets!

Big Smoke Revival is a local Camrose Band lead by Jeff Nybeck. They play Blues, Classic Rock, and Country.

This is our 8th Annual Dinner and Auction in support of our local youth in Army Cadets.
Army Cadets is a FREE program for all Canadian youth ages 12-19. It focuses on raising Community Leaders, learning about our Armed Forces, paying Tribute to our Veterans, and a special focus on physical education.

Our Camrose Corp has burst with new energy as we've jumped from 19 Cadets to now 40 and still rising. We now have two platoons of eager young faces. Because there is a Royal Decree that the Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corp must remain free to all youth we are not allowed to collect for uniforms, travel expenses, expeditions, camps equipment etc.

The Department of National Defense provides a minimal funding and the remainder falls on our faithful sponsors and numerous fundraisers.

This year's event is at the Camrose Moose Hall on March 25, 2017

Doors open at 5:30 with A Burger Bash Banquet kicked by off at 6 pm. There will be Live and Silent Auctions guided by our Auctioneer Jason Hennig.

There is a 50/50 and an area designated for $2 draw bags.

Our MC for the evening will also be the lovely and entertaining Kimberley Will.

For more tickets please contact Kimberly Newberry at 780-608-6863 or Tanya arrive at 780-678-7047.

Any donations to help support these amazing youth is very greatly appreciated.

TO WIN TICKETS SIMPLY JOIN THE RIDER FRIENDLY SUPPORT NETWORK GROUP ON FACEBOOK 

HERE IS THE LINK

A RANDOM WINNER WILL BE CHOSEN MONDAY MARCH 20TH! 

ENTER NOW!

CVFR 2016 Film Available on YouTube

The Canadian Veteran Freedom Riders (CVFR) unit President Roger, A.K.A. "Excalibur," has put together a 2016 season year-end film.

The film covers 66 events in the 2016 season and many of our readers may be featured in the 37-minute feature. Everyone is encouraged to watch the film from beginning to end. 

 You can view the film from CVFR’s Facebook and website links (below) and learn more about the CVFR’s Meaford Ontario Unit and/or how to join.

The club is open to both veterans and supporters from the general public.

Here is the movie:

CVFR Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meafordcvfr/

CVFR website: http://www.cvfrmeafordontario.ca/

They are a great group that does some very cool stuff.

You have one day left to get your entry in for Canada's MOST Rider Friendly Community Contest! www.riderfriendlycontest.ca

Belt Drive Betty,
Editor & Rider

Two Soldiers, Two Deaths, Two Different Shows of Respect

Today our nation grieves with the Cirillo Family, the Princess Louise's Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces and the city of Hamilton.

As I write this I am watching the funeral procession to Christchurch Cathedral, watching as honours, normally bestowed to leaders of state and military are bestowed upon a young Corporal. A message of strength, unity, love and commitment being sent around the world.

The Cirillo family has allowed we Canadians to adopt him as our son. They have allowed us to grieve with them in a very overpowering way.

His funeral happened swiftly, only 6 days from giving his life for his country.
His family has allowed/welcomed so much sharing about Nathan on Facebook and in the media.



Patrice Vincent however, well, his family is grieving in a different way and has asked for privacy and so far, everyone has respected their wishes.

While I understand their very personal loss, I feel a tad cheated by their decision. I would like to feel that I knew Warrant Officer Vincent in the way I have come to know Nathan Cirillo, through his family, friends and colleagues, but sadly, I do not. No where can personal photos be found, very few stories about him shared and no Facebook page to share on.

Patrice Vincent died last Monday and will be buried on November 1st in Longueuil QC.

I can only imagine the pain of these two families.
Though they both grieve deeply, they do so in a different way, a way that must be respected.

I just hope, that when they are ready, the family of Patrice Vincent will allow us to show them how deeply we feel their loss and how appreciative of his service and sacrifice we truly are. 

There is not much else we can offer them and I hope they know we offer it, but we respect their wishes.

I also want to take a moment to remember the service of the unnamed soldier who was injured in the same attack as Patrice Vincent lost his life.  I hope that he too, will one day, allow we Canadians to embrace him, and let him know how thankful we are for all of the blessings we have as Canadians because of the service of the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces.

In about 25 minutes a funeral for a young man takes place, I hope you take 1 minute to pay him and all of our fallen a word of thanks and respect.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider