You’re Invited...
You’re Invited...
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Members, Families and Friends of the “Kangaroos”,
1st Canadian Armoured Personnel Carrier Regiment, you are cordially invited to:
The First National Reunion of the Kangaroo Regiment
& Presentation of their Regimental (replica) “GUIDON”
ceremonial parade and Thank You through the Streets of St. Thomas
Formal dinner - “laying up” of the guidon
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 9-10-11, 2011.
Elgin Regiment Armoury, St. Thomas, Ontario
The outline below is tentative, subject to further planning and confirmations, further details can be given by contacting the Archive.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011
“Meet & Greet”: 6pm - 10pm
This is an opportunity for the attending Veterans and their Families/Friends to meet the Organizers, Elgin Veterans, Senior Members of the Elgin Regiment (31CER) and visiting dignitaries. This will also be an opportunity for visiting dignitaries and local patrons to meet and address the Kangaroo veterans personally. As well select members of the media will be invited to attend at this time.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2011
Open House: 10:00 am -12:00 pm. (open to KRA/ERA)
An opportunity to see the facilities and equipment of the 31 Combat Engineer Regiment (The Elgins) and find out what their role is within the current Canadian Forces.
12:00-1:00 pm: Sapper’s & Trooper’s Lunch (Private Event for Kangaroos Families & Friends)
The Kangaroos and their families will be invited to have lunch with and chat with the members of the current Elgin Regiment (31 Combat Engineer Regiment). Modern field rations will be served!(they’re good!) Many of the soldiers of 31 CER in attendance will have just returned from duty in Afghanistan.
2:00-3:00 pm Official Guidon Ceremony.- (general public event)
The Kangaroo veterans will be present on the parade square at the Elgin Armoury while their Guidon is unveiled and dedicated in a public “drumhead” ceremony.
While a senior Officer of the Kangaroos will be required to participate in the presentation (handoff) of the Guidon (flag), members of the Canadian Forces will re-enact (dressed in correctly badged, wartime Battledress) NCO’s of the Armd Carrier Regiment and perform the “marching” part of the ceremony.
The Ceremony will have brief speeches by visiting and local dignitaries and the history of ceremonial parade will be narrated.
3:00-4:00 pm Motorized Parade (Streets of St. Thomas) - (general public event)
The Kangaroos will participate in a vintage vehicles parade (all handicap accessible) through the streets of St. Thomas and preceding the official presentation of the 1 APCR Guidon (Cavalry Flag). The restored Ram Kangaroo Tank will be unveiled to the public and will also be on parade, transported by a truck and trailer in 25 Cdn Tank Delivery colours (wartime Elgin markings).
4:00 pm. Roll Past and final conclusion of ceremonies, including official photographs.
4:30 - 7:00 pm - rest period. (The mess will be open, refreshments available).
7:00 pm Formal Dinner for Kangaroos and Elgins in the Elgin Officer’s Mess
(companions and families optional but definitely welcome)
Dinner will be a 5 course meal, with wine provided at the table with table service (served at the table). This meal will be complimentary to all attending Kangaroo Veterans. Companions and families/guests wishing to also attend will be have to pay $60/plate. Please book this as early as possible, the Mess will only seat 250, veterans and their families will be given priority seating.
At the end of the dinner and speeches, the Kangaroo Veterans will attend a brief ceremony to lay up the Regimental Guidon in the specially built case for this occasion. This will then become the official home of the Kangaroo Regimental Association and the memorial and resting place of their hard fought honours.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2011 - optional events
An open day with the possibility of an optional events to be discussed. Though many members and families may choose to return home.