The new fundraising event for Boomer’s Legacy – Support Our Troops that took place at Glacier Gardens Arena on June 16 is already looking forward to 2019.
Camp Boomer was hosted by the Friends of Boomer’s Legacy BC, with support from 19 Wing Comox, the Comox Air Force Museum (CAFM), and CFB Esquimalt.
Camp Boomer offered a walk/run/cycle challenge over six hours, while participants and members of the public enjoyed military static displays, presentations, demonstrations, music, food and an open cockpit event at the CAFM Heritage Air Park.
A contingent from Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Sail attended Camp Boomer with the sail training vessel (STV) Goldcrest, the Naden Brass Band performed, 11 Field Ambulance set up a field hospital, and Naval Reserve Divers from HMCS Malahat also attended.
The Canadian Army was represented by six members from 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (CMBG) and 1 Field Ambulance, some who had served with Cpl Andrew “Boomer” Eykelenboom, the medic who was killed in Afghanistan on August 11, 2006 and was the catalyst for founding Boomer’s Legacy.
The members of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry brought rations of all sorts to provide samples, as well as cam paint for face painting. They teamed up with Maj Francis Laplante of the Silver Totems hockey team and youth from the 189 Port Augusta Royal Canadian Sea Cadets to host a Kids’ Boot Kamp.
Camp Boomer also offered hands-on activities with the Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s), Comox Fire Rescue, 19 Wing Fire Hall, 12 Military Police Flight, CANEX and SISIP. Volunteers from St. John Ambulance kept watch over the Camp.
A Legion colour party opened the day, and the Canadian Military Wives Choir Comox sang O Canada before Capt (ret’d) Trevor Greene sent the participants off with words of encouragement.
888 (Komox) Wing provided a venue for presentations by Capt. Greene, the Vancouver Island Compassion Dogs, and Dale Erhart of Vimy Flight. Later their volunteers hosted a dinner event that allowed participants and volunteers to reflect on the outstanding day.
Soldier cards honouring CAF personnel who died in service to Canada since 2002 were carried throughout the duration of the walk/ run/ cycle, and at the conclusion of the six hour event, participants formed up behind the Comox Valley pipe and drum to march in to the closing ceremony that included a tribute to the Wall of Remembrance, as well as several donation presentations.
“It was a day to remember for all involved, and an exciting inaugural event that is sure to pave the way to future success for Boomer’s Legacy,” shared event chair Bobbi Howard-Muir. “The original bike ride started with just a few people and grew, so there is no reason the same will not be true for Camp Boomer.”
For more information on Boomer’s Legacy, visit SupportOurTroops.ca or go directly to BoomersLegacy.ca.
To join the Friends of Boomer’s Legacy BC in planning the 2019 event, email chair.campboomer@gmail.com.