Never forget.
In honour of Remembrance Day and in honour of saluting our Canadian armed forces, the Fredericton Red Wings will host Military Appreciation Night on Nov. 7 at the Grant*Harvey Centre.
The Maritime Hockey League Red Wings will host junior A rival Edmundston Blizzard, but both teams and organizations will pay their respects for those who fought for our nation’s freedom and for those who still serve today.
Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m., but there will be a pre-game ceremony. The Red Wings are asking all fans out of respect to be in their seats for 6:45 PM if possible.
The 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown, with its 6,500-strong military personnel and 1,000 civilian employees, is an impactful operation in the region.
It will be well served on Military Appreciation Night when the Red Wings and Blizzard go head-to-head.
The Red Wings have donated tickets to military personnel and its families, as well as the students at Hubbard School, as part of their commitment to the night.
‘It is incredibly important for our organization to show our respect and ensure the importance of those who continue to fight for our way of life are recognized by our team and community,’ said Red Wings’ president and governor, Roger Shannon. ‘We observe Remembrance Day on Nov. 11 and give thanks to those before us, many who paid the ultimate sacrifice to allow us to live in a country as beautiful and free as Canada. Our organization from top to bottom wants to share in the history and the present of what our military does for us daily to better our lives’
Fredericton will wear special custom military camouflage jerseys for the game against Edmundston.
Those jerseys will be auctioned off after the contest, the jersey represents past present and future all in one.
Proceeds raised during the game will go toward the 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown United Way program.
Members of Oromocto’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 93 will be on hand prior to the game with poppies for all, in honour of veterans, donations will go back to the poppy campaign.
The remembrance poppy is an artificial flower that has been used since 1921 to commemorate military personnel who have died in war and represents a common or field poppy.
As part of the week’s observation leading into the Nov. 11 Remembrance Day events, Red Wings’ players and staff members will attend a school function in Oromocto and spread the word on the importance of Military Appreciation Night.
‘We believe our organization can play a role in spreading the message about Remembrance Day and all it means to our families across the country who celebrate our freedom,’ said Shannon. ‘It allows us to pay our respects. Many of the those who died in war were the same age as many of our Red Wings back then and that is an eye-opening fact. We support our military in many ways. We’re fortunate the 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown, Legion members and others are so committed to their local communities. Allowing us to honour their service will be one of our season highlights.’
Both the Red Wings and Blizzard players will be piped onto the ice prior to a list of dignitaries who will gather at centre ice for a ceremonial puck drop.
That will be followed by the national anthem.
‘This is going to be an incredibly emotional O Canada and it will allow everyone in the arena to observe our flag and hopefully sing along with the rendition, wouldn’t it be something to hear an entire arena sing the national anthem’ said Shannon. ‘That will be a very impactful moment for the Red Wings, our special guests and our incredible fan base.’
The Red Wings are looking for a sold-out building for the first time, no greater cause can be recognized.
*Release via the Fredericton Red Wings