- Reaction score
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http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/story.html?id=ec95f746-49bf-451a-ad66-7614873a750a&k=66710
Jamie Komarnicki, Calgary Herald
Published: Saturday, December 22, 2007
A month before 150 reservists leave for a tour in Afghanistan, Canada's military heroes received a standing ovation at the Pengrowth Saddledome Friday in a special Calgary Flames salute to the Canadian Forces.
Cpl. Duncan Campbell's combat fatigues stood out in the sea of red worn by Flames fans flooding the stands for Friday's game against the Dallas Stars.
His own Flames jersey will be safely stashed with his gear when the reservist with 33 Skilled Engineer Squadron heads to Afghanistan in January.
View Larger Image
Cpl. Duncan Campbell receives a signed jersey from Adrian Aucoin at a ceremony at the Saddledome on Friday honouring local troops who are headed to Afghanistan.
Ted Jacob, Calgary Herald
Font:****He'll bring it out in Afghanistan to cheer on the hometown team from afar, he said.
"Whenever I'm off and there's a game -- especially a playoff game -- I'll have my Flames jersey on, I'll be cheering for them," said Campbell, 21, a lifelong Flames fan who was part of a colour guard that took to the ice for the Flames' salute.
Before the game began Friday, the Flames made a special on-ice presentation to 20 soldiers in honour of all the Canadian Forces.
The Flames and Global Calgary donated 300 tickets in sections 311-317 in the Ultimate Fan Zone to local soldiers and their families for Friday's game.
Season-ticket holders donated about 60 more tickets. Among the air force, navy and army soldiers taking in the game were about 150 reservists from 41 Canadian Brigade Group, who will leave for Kandahar as part of a six-month tour of Afghanistan to augment the Canadian mission.
It's the second annual salute to the Canadian military at a Flames game, and it's even more poignant with the Calgary troops set to depart, said Ken King, Flames president and chief executive officer.
"As our military has become more prominent in our daily lives in terms of their activities and actions and through the news -- and it touches us more closely -- we just think it's a nice opportunity to give them tribute for their important work," said King.
"It's amazing to me that one day they're standing here on our ice surface and in a very short while they'll be standing in the desert fighting for freedom," King said.
After months of training, Cpl. Stefan Bakken, 22, said he's eager to head overseas.
"I'm excited. I've been training since last April, I want to get to the actual job," he said.
With the support of family and friends staunchly behind him, Campbell said it's comforting to see the city honour the soldier's task he faces in Afghanistan.
"I'm really looking forward to going and being able to do my job as a soldier and to help the mission in Afghanistan," said Campbell.
jkomarnicki@theherald.canwest.com
Jamie Komarnicki, Calgary Herald
Published: Saturday, December 22, 2007
A month before 150 reservists leave for a tour in Afghanistan, Canada's military heroes received a standing ovation at the Pengrowth Saddledome Friday in a special Calgary Flames salute to the Canadian Forces.
Cpl. Duncan Campbell's combat fatigues stood out in the sea of red worn by Flames fans flooding the stands for Friday's game against the Dallas Stars.
His own Flames jersey will be safely stashed with his gear when the reservist with 33 Skilled Engineer Squadron heads to Afghanistan in January.
View Larger Image
Cpl. Duncan Campbell receives a signed jersey from Adrian Aucoin at a ceremony at the Saddledome on Friday honouring local troops who are headed to Afghanistan.
Ted Jacob, Calgary Herald
Font:****He'll bring it out in Afghanistan to cheer on the hometown team from afar, he said.
"Whenever I'm off and there's a game -- especially a playoff game -- I'll have my Flames jersey on, I'll be cheering for them," said Campbell, 21, a lifelong Flames fan who was part of a colour guard that took to the ice for the Flames' salute.
Before the game began Friday, the Flames made a special on-ice presentation to 20 soldiers in honour of all the Canadian Forces.
The Flames and Global Calgary donated 300 tickets in sections 311-317 in the Ultimate Fan Zone to local soldiers and their families for Friday's game.
Season-ticket holders donated about 60 more tickets. Among the air force, navy and army soldiers taking in the game were about 150 reservists from 41 Canadian Brigade Group, who will leave for Kandahar as part of a six-month tour of Afghanistan to augment the Canadian mission.
It's the second annual salute to the Canadian military at a Flames game, and it's even more poignant with the Calgary troops set to depart, said Ken King, Flames president and chief executive officer.
"As our military has become more prominent in our daily lives in terms of their activities and actions and through the news -- and it touches us more closely -- we just think it's a nice opportunity to give them tribute for their important work," said King.
"It's amazing to me that one day they're standing here on our ice surface and in a very short while they'll be standing in the desert fighting for freedom," King said.
After months of training, Cpl. Stefan Bakken, 22, said he's eager to head overseas.
"I'm excited. I've been training since last April, I want to get to the actual job," he said.
With the support of family and friends staunchly behind him, Campbell said it's comforting to see the city honour the soldier's task he faces in Afghanistan.
"I'm really looking forward to going and being able to do my job as a soldier and to help the mission in Afghanistan," said Campbell.
jkomarnicki@theherald.canwest.com
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