Military museum hosting annual fundraiser
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/04/2023 (935 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A fundraiser for a city museum that preserves the history of southwest Manitoba military units and their members is headed to sea this year.
Edd McArthur, curator of the 26th Field Regiment RCA/XII Manitoba Dragoons Museum, said the Battle of the Atlantic is a worthy theme for its annual fundraiser.
“Canada had a big role in the convoy escort during the Battle of the Atlantic,” McArthur said.
The 42nd annual Vimy and Beyond Fundraiser for the museum located in the Brandon Armoury will be held at that location on May 6, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.
Hosted by the museum’s arms-length fundraising body, Friends of the Museum Inc., all proceeds go directly to the museum for projects and operations. McArthur said the event is the museum’s major fundraiser for the year and typically raises about $2,200.
The fundraiser began as a way to honour the April 1917 Battle of Vimy Ridge, a major victory for Canadian soldiers that is now considered a nation-shaping event. But after the 100th anniversary of that battle, the fundraiser was expanded to include anniversaries of the Second World War.
And so, this year’s theme is “Ship to Shore, a Lifeline to our Troops” to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic victory, in which the Royal Canadian Navy played a major part by escorting ships laden with supplies from Canada and the United States to Britain. McArthur said the fundraiser will feature the showing of a documentary about the battle.
The event costs $25 per person to attend, and includes dinner and entertainment such as performances by the École secondaire Neelin high school choir and the regiment’s pipe and drums band. There will also be a 50/50 draw and auctions.
For those who can’t attend, there will be an online component that will allow them to see and take part in portions of the event such as the live auction.
Each year, the armoury is also the site of a ceremony to commemorate the sacrifices made by Canadian sailors and airmen, which will be held this year at 11 a.m. on May 7.
That event’s longtime organizer, Navy League of Canada-Brandon Branch member George Haggerty, said it’s especially important to remember sailors and airmen who sacrificed their lives on and over the Atlantic.
“There’s a lot of Prairie sailors that went to sea during the war, and they’re not really remembered the same as the army and air force in this area because you don’t see graves,” Haggerty said. “Their graves are at sea. They’re buried at sea. They go down with the ship.”
Those who wish to attend the Vimy and Beyond event are asked to RSVP and pay by May 2. Attendees can RSVP by calling 204-724-7530 or emailing 26fomi@gmail.com. Those who wish to join the virtual presentation can register by emailing 26fdregmuseum@wcgwave.ca.
» ihitchen@brandonsun.com