Kevin Vickers to deliver keynote speech at tribute for veterans
4th annual Atlantic Maple Leaf dinner to raise money to support veterans and their families
Former House of Commons sergeant-at-arms Kevin Vickers will deliver the keynote address at the Atlantic Maple Leaf tribute dinner next week to help raise money to support veterans and their families.
Moncton will host the fourth annual Atlantic Maple Leaf tribute dinner as part of the lead up to Remembrance Day ceremonies.
The Nov. 10 dinner will feature Vickers, who is Canada's ambassador to Ireland and new Order of New Brunswick member.
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Vickers, who is originally from Miramichi, was involved in subduing Michael Zehaf-Bibeau after he shot and killed Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, a member of the honour guard at the National War Memorial, on Oct. 22, 2014.
He was the sergeant-at-arms in the House of Commons at the time.
It's very hard to find someone that doesn't have a person in their past, in their personal history, their family, that has served.- Elisabeth Rybak, Atlantic Maple Leaf
The CBC's Jonna Brewer and Harry Forestell will be masters of ceremonies at the event, which will also feature a performance of "New Brunswick at War," a series of vignettes by actor Marshall Button.
Elisabeth Rybak, the Atlantic chair of Atlantic Maple Leaf, a volunteer organization that supports veterans and their families, said the dinner will be a gala evening.
"We are expecting 550 people to join us," said Rybak.
"There are still a limited number of tickets available."
Proceeds will go to the Military Family Fund, cadet youth programs, Moncton's RCMP fallen members fund and other charities that support military heritage.
Military displays
Also on Nov. 10, historic military displays will be up at the Agrena Complex and students and veterans will be given guided tours.
"Equipment displays, heritage vehicles, we have World War two motorcycles, a replica Spitfire. Plus we have static displays from museums from all over our region. It's all about New Brunswick's proud military past," Rybak said.
The exhibitions will then open to the general public on Remembrance Day, following ceremonies at the Moncton Coliseum.
Rybak's involvement with the volunteer group is personal. Her son is a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan.
"In talking to New Brunswickers, it's very hard to find someone that doesn't have a person in their past, in their personal history, their family, that has served," she said.
"We have a higher than average, national average, enlistment rate in the arm forces here in New Brunswick, so there's a lot of families that know what it's like to have someone who has served."
To date, the annual black-tie dinner has raised almost $2 million to help wounded soldiers and their families.