The Royal Canadian Legion and the Calgary Grey Cup Committee join forces to honour Canada's Veterans at the Grey Cup Festival.
Since 1948, a dedicated group of volunteers with the Calgary Grey Cup Committee (CGGC) have ventured across the country to promote Calgary’s Western heritage and community spirit at the annual Grey Cup Festivities. This year saw a new tradition added to bring together the community and honour Canada's Veterans.
The Calgary Grey Cup Committee and The Royal Canadian Legion joined forces to bring Western hospitality and Legion camaraderie to Grey Cup fans.
The inaugural “Royal Canadian Legion – Calgary Grey Cup Committee 1st Annual Stampede Breakfast” was a great success! Fans and visitors of the 110th CFL Grey Cup in Hamilton, Ontario were invited to a stampede style pancake breakfast, free of charge at the local Legion Branch 163 on November 16th. Hosted by the CGGC and the Legion, the event was an opportunity to recognize Canada’s Veterans, to help raise awareness about the work of the Legion and to encourage Canadians to get involved and support their local Legion Branch.
The Calgary Grey Cup Committee fired up the authentic Calgary Stampede griddles for pancakes with sausage, and a show steeped in western-style entertainment, including the time-honoured Grey Cup tradition… special guest Tuffy Nuff, the famous equine friend of the CGGC.
The CGGC hosted a VIP Reception later that evening where they performed a traditional “White Hat Ceremony” to honour two Canadians. Honourees Jack Gemmel, a Veteran, and Derek Moore, a son of a Veteran, were both white-hatted by City of Calgary, Councilor, Dan McLean. The White Hat Ceremony is considered the equivalent of bestowing the keys to the City of Calgary.
The evening included a performance by The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #163 Pipe and Drum Band. The Honourable Lois Mitchell, 18th Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, presented a donation to The Royal Canadian Legion.
A tradition in the making
The Royal Canadian Legion is proud to partner with the Calgary Grey Cup Committee to support Canada’s serving and retired Veterans and their families. We look forward to continuing this tradition in Vancouver next year at the 111th Grey Cup in November 2024.
About The Royal Canadian Legion
Founded in 1925, the Legion is Canada’s largest Veteran support and community service organization. We are a non-profit organization with a national reach across Canada as well as branches in the U.S., and Europe. With close to 250,000 members, many of whom volunteer an extraordinary amount of time to their branches, our strength is in our numbers.
Legion.ca
Facebook.com/CanadianLegion
Twitter.com/RoyalCdnLegion
Instagram.com/royalcanadianlegion
youtube.com/user/RCLDominionCommand
Linkedin.com/company/royalcanadianlegion