Canadian Forces Military Display

CANADIAN FORCES ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF THE 2008 MasterCard MEMORIAL CUP
The MasterCard Memorial Cup will celebrate 90 years of major junior hockey excellence in Kitchener May 16 - 26th. With an impressive display of current and historic Canadian military vehicles…along with a world class fireworks display there will be something for everyone.
Hockey fans will be able to get up close and personal with such military vehicles as a 2.5-ton Gun Tractor and a 10-ton Wrecker, as well as a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat, a state-of-the-art Recruiting Trailer and an army howitzer.“There will be plenty to see and do at the Canadian Forces exhibit”, says Captain Scott Costen, spokesman for 31 Canadian Brigade Group. “Some of our biggest and best vehicles will be on display, as well as one of the army’s largest weapon systems.”

Canadian Forces Military Display
The Canadian Forces Military Display will be located within Toyota Fan Fest at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium (Military Road area off East Avenue) throughout the entire Memorial Cup Championship. Juno The Bear – the Army’s official Mascot, will also be on hand to meet the public and hand out souvenirs. Members of the public will get a chance to meet CF members, learn more about careers in the military, and see some of their latest vehicles and equipment.
They will also have an opportunity to tour the local armoury, and enjoy a military band performance.
Most importantly, Memorial Cup attendees will have a chance to join today’s CF members in honouring the heroism and sacrifice of our veterans.

History of the Memorial Cup
The Canadian Forces Military Display will support the Memorial Cup, which was donated by the Ontario Hockey Association in 1919 as a memorial and honour of the Canadians who fought and died in the First World War. The Memorial Cup and its message of remembrance are as relevant today as they were nine decades ago.
With the service and sacrifice of Canadian Forces (CF) members in Afghanistan, the connection between earlier generations of war veterans and current military personnel has grown stronger. This connection is revealed in many ways, including increased military participation at the Memorial Cup, and renewed emphasis on the origins of junior hockey’s national championship trophy. CF members will be active participants in this year’s Memorial Cup festivities. Our men and women in uniform will transport the Memorial Cup championship trophy to Kitchener and proudly escort it throughout the event.

Canadian Armed Forces Marching Band and World Class Fireworks
When: Saturday, May 17th, 2008 at 9 p.m.
Where: Centennial Stadium (adjacent to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium)
..............400 East Avenue, Kitchener, ON
Cost: FREE

A Canadian Armed Forces Marching Band will also provide entertainment on Saturday May 17th when Centennial Stadium (adjacent to to Kitchener Memorial Auditorium) plays host to a world-class Fireworks Display.The Fireworks Display will be produced by Whysall Fireworks of Ariss, who recently won an International Fireworks Competition in Vietnam and is also responsible for producing the annual Canada Day fireworks display at the University of Waterloo.The Fireworks Display will begin at dusk, and is open to everyone and admission is free. Be sure to come early and enjoy this spectacular evening.

Thursday's Arrival Parade and Ceremonies
The Memorial Cup – to be presented to the winner of the 2008 MasterCard Memorial Cup Championship - officially arrived in Kitchener on Thursday May 15th. To celebrate the Cup’s arrival, the community was invited to attend a special ceremony planned at Civic Square at Kitchener City Hall b at 11:30 am. The Cup was delivered to City Hall by the Canadian Armed Forces in an Armoured Personnel Carrier as part of a Military Procession that featured approximately 100 Veterans and a Colour Guard.
The President of the Canadian Hockey League and Commissioner of the Ontario Hockey League – David Branch - will formally presented the Memorial Cup to Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr during a ceremony that will also included the Honourable Greg Thompson, Federal Minister of Veterans Affairs as well as Steve Bienkowski and John Thompson – the Chair and General Manager respectively, of the 2008 MasterCard Memorial Cup Host Committee.
“It is certainly an honour for the City of Kitchener to welcome the Memorial Cup and to host one of the nation’s most prestigious junior hockey tournaments,” said Mayor Zehr. “We take great pride in celebrating the cup’s arrival and we wish the Kitchener Rangers all the best as they compete to keep it right here at home.”
Following the presentation, the public was invited to view the Memorial Cup, meet members of the Kitchener Rangers Hockey Team, and enjoy a community BBQ complete with a Memorial Cup cake and entertainment provided by the Twin City Harmonizers and Shane Guse.