The sixth annual “Memories of the War Years Musical Tribute to Veterans” show will honour local war hero and retired Wing Commander Stocky Edwards, one of the last surviving veterans of the Second World War and Canada’s leading surviving air ace of that war.
Edwards, age 97, is one of a dwindling few veterans of the Second World War. The show will also commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Armistice of the First World War, which ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Private George Price of the Canadian Expeditionary Force was the last member of the British Empire forces to die in the war during the Liberation of Mons, Belgium at 2 minutes to 11 am, November 11. A two minute silence will be held to commemorate the approximately 65,000 Canadians who fell in that war.
The show takes place at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 4, in the Florence Filberg Centre Conference Hall with a preliminary presentation to honour the Canadians who died in Afghanistan and other fields of service at 1:30 p.m.
Karen Storwick, MSMC, of the Military Museums, Calgary will combine with Maureen Eycklenboom of “Boomer’s Legacy” for this presentation. Tickets are $10 and are available at the Filberg Centre (250-338-1000) or at the door. Veterans of the Second World War and the Korean War, plus a companion each, will be admitted free. Please register by phoning the Filberg Centre. Last year 14 Second World War Veterans, half of them female, were honoured at the show.
The show is a partnership with Komox 386 Air Cadets, brings together the air force community with the City of Courtenay, and also honours those in our community who continue to serve and have served to protect our country and freedom in the world.
The show, which is organized by Ken MacLeod and sponsored by the Evergreen Club, features a talented lineup, headlined by the Jacqueline Lambeth Singers, whose lead singer, Jacqueline Lambeth, along with the supporting ladies, offer professional and highly entertaining interpretations of the music of the First and Second World War, including the music of the Andrew Sisters, Glenn Miller Band, and Vera Lynn. The supporting cast includes 87-year-old musical comedian par excellence Roy Storey, former airborne commander baritone supreme Dick Cowling, and the supporting vocals of the Evergreen Choristers.
The show wouldn’t be what it is without the musical wizardry of musical arranger Kelly Thomas on the keyboard and her six-person band that features local trumpet impressario Jake Masri.
Come out and support our surviving Second World War and Korean War veterans, as well as honouring Retired Wing Commander Stocky Edwards.