Edmonton military once again honoured by golf outing
- Details
- Category: Inside Golf
- Published: 2017-06-05
By Gord Montgomery (iG)
EDMONTON — In times of conflict within their own boundaries or in spots across the world, citizens know they can count on all the branches of the Armed Forces to protect their rights and privileges. But at the same time, it’s difficult for those staying on home turf to say “thank you” to those looking after said interests.
In Edmonton, a wonderful way of thanking the men and women from CFB Namao has been established and its thriving after four years. Known as Military Appreciation Day, the Edmonton Petroleum Golf & Country Club puts on the annual golf affair, based around a Shamble tournament, to pay tribute to the local veterans.
Sponsorship dollars and other fees collected go toward the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) which was given a cheque at the end of the day this year for $11,000. That brought the total donations from this event alone to over $81,000. Those funds go toward helping the families that stay on base while the soldier in their midst heads overseas, or wherever duty calls, to protect and serve.
Garth Warner, the president and CEO of Servus Credit Union, the lead sponsor for the day underlined the feeling of the civilians on hand for the fun tournament by noting: “I want to take a moment to honour the men and women serving in our military. Thank you for serving at home, and abroad, and to thank you for your service.”
One of those on hand to show off his golfing skills this year was Captain Rob Day who works in Logistics. He said he’s been involved in all of the tournaments and loves the love that is shown by the citizens of the greater-Edmonton area toward those in uniform.
“This is always a great honour to come out here and play,” he noted. “From the civilian aspect, I think civilians like the military 100 times better than they did back in the 80s,” which shows through at such things as this tournament. “We are a small military but very strong.”
As for what he takes personally from this, Day said it all about the recognition by the public of what the Armed Forces are all about.
“As a soldier it’s great to tell you what we do and what we put out there. It’s good for the community to know what the military is all about … we’re just not going to war all the time. We do a lot within the community,” where they are based, including Capt. Day working with the Cadet program for over 30 years, for which he just received the Governor General’s Award.
As for his feelings about what transpires on this day, Day had this to say: “I think it’s great and it gets better every year they do it!”
When asked why his club would open its doors to an event like this, keeping their regular members off the links for the better part of a day, the club’s manager, Grant Cammidge said in a previous interview that for him this idea was a no-brainer. After all, it’s just a way for everyone at the private facility, and some members of the public at large, to show their support for what the military does whether it be at home or abroad.
“For me, this is easy to do. I appreciate what they do for us, for our country, and the pay they receive is certainly not as great as the dangers they face,” he said, emphasizing that a simple “thank you” can come in many ways.