The 2024 Commemoration Weekend Wrap-up
June 7-9, 2024 was commemoration weekend at Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre
The weekend had several components to it and in this article we will focus on the first element:
A three day ride-drive event we call the Ride for Vision & Valour.
The Military Police hold a national relay ride to raise money for the Military Police Fund for Blind Children.
The founder of the only registered charity of the Canadian Armed Forces, Col James Riley Stone, hailed from Blueberry Mountain Alberta and these former MP’s, Loyal Edmonton Regiment soldiers and civilians were coming to the unveiling and dedication of the Blueberry Mountain Military & Community History Walk, some raising funds along the way.
Riders from Vancouver Island, the Okanagan and Kamloops connected and started raising funds at every Legion along the way. By the time everyone converged at CFB Edmonton, there were 10 bikes and 12 riders.
After a reception by the 1MP division at CFB Edmonton (Lancaster Park) they rode to Mayerthorpe’s Legion, Branch #126 for supper and a visit to the Fallen Four Memorial.
They overnighted at the Cloud 9 Motel in Whitecourt that has been recently renovated inside.
For you riders, this is a great little motel: www.staycloud9.com After a hearty breakfast they headed off to the Fox Creek Legion where they had a coffee break and received a donation of $500 from the branch.
The next stop was Bezanson and they were greeted by 2 RCMP vehicles, a Fire Truck and some antique vehicles to form a parade that took them through the tiny town. The seniors appreciated it as it was a cool and rainy event.
Secure Energy hosted a BBQ including FRENCH FRIES and POUTINE!!!!! It was off the charts good!
There was a cornhole competition, ladder toss for the kids, candy bags, military history displays and more.
About 100 hamburgers were cooked along with a couple dozen hotdogs! Close to $300 was raised for the MP Fund for Blind Children. Wanda Zenner and a few other local volunteers helped put everything together there! It was fantastic, it would have been nice if the sun would have peeked out for a bit but it was fun nonetheless.
Their next stop was at the host hotel in Grande Prairie, the Sandman Inn and after everyone checked into their rooms they headed over to Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre for the D-Day, Battle of Normandy Commemoration Ceremony. Following the ceremony everyone headed back to the Sandman Inn for the Brandt Tractor Meet n Greet and then used the Karyn4U Party Ride Shuttle service to go to D Company Armouries for the OPERATION:Overlord Dine & Dance.
With incredible food provided by the Frontier Eatery & Saloon, wonderful entertainment by Gold Dust Entertainment Services (Music, Karaoke + Presentation) and a World War Two photo booth run by Alyssa Hudson from the Spotlight Performance Collective, fun was had by all.
Another cool morning dawned on Sunday, but off everyone went on the convoy style parade to Blueberry Mountain.
We were met by the Fire Department at Rycroft where the road was shut down for everyone to make a safe left hand turn and stay together.
The dedication ceremony turned out rather well in spite of the weather challenges; electronics do not like water.
The Blueberry Mountain Goodwill Society were wonderful hosts!
It was stellar to have Col James Riley Stone’s family present, Mike Victoria and Shelley, along with the families of so many other Blueberry Mountain veterans.
46 veterans were honoured and a town remembered.
One of the most moving parts of this ceremony was when the Consul General of the Republic of Korea Jongho Kyun presented Shirley- Bishop-Hayden with the dad’s Peace Medal.
The food from Bradley’s Cove Food Truck was wonderful and the 2850 Army Cadets did an amazing job of the colour party. After the bus and the local families headed off back to Grande Prairie and other points unknown, 20 people headed off to the High Prairie Legion and had a coffee break and fuel stop. Don Ebbetts and the crew at the High Prairie Legion were so warm and welcoming and they too provided a donation to the MP Fund.
Slave Lake was off the charts! A 60’ flag, an escort into the Legion Branch and the LER Army Cadets were on hand to serve and take care of everyone. The Chili was amazing and another donation for the MP was received.
From here, Lt Col Barr, RSM Denny of The Loyal Edmonton Regiment and their driver headed off to their homes near Thorhild and the MP’s headed back to the base and the riders headed back to the base and their accommodations for the night.
Col Vanessa Hanrahan headed back to Grande Prairie with us as she flew back to Ottawa mid day on the 10th.
The Ride raised almost $5,000 and is not done collecting donations.
Belt Drive Betty, AKA Renee Charbonneau.
Collections Manager
Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre
Renee Charbonneau
