My brother Brian and I have been holding a Remembrance Day Ceremony at the field for at least 25 years. We have family members that fought in WW1, WW2 and luckily survived.
Initially it was an impromptu thing, with just a minute of silence at 11AM on November 11 and included who ever happened to be flying that day. Followed with discussion about some of the famous pilots/airplanes from past wars.
Then I decided to make it a more formal event, the Remembrance Day, RC Battle of Britain, and suggested only warbirds come and fly at the event. The structure was 1” of silence at 11AM, a short remembrance of famous pilot from the Canadian Armed Forces, reading of Flanders Fields and The Pilots Prayer, closing with Oh Canada and flying. I provided coffee and doughnuts. It wasn’t advertised and only those who had been at the field before knew about it.
At some point I thought we should make it a club MAAC event. SCRCMC posted the event on our website, bought the coffee and doughnuts, a lot more people found out about it and showed up and it was a warbirds only event.
The next evolution was, why not make it a fund raiser for the Veteran’s food bank, guests were asked to bring a food item (or cash donation) to the event and I have dropped it off at the Veteran’s food bank. Like many of our RC planned events it has occasionally been cancelled.
During the year events in the club get cancelled due to rain or excessive wind which prevents flying. My event rarely has been cancelled, when it does get cancelled it’s usually due to snow. The airplanes can’t take off.
This year I plan on holding the event at our field regardless of the weather. There will be coffee and snacks from Tim’s. The Irish Twins (built in the same year) Brian’s and my 1/3 Scale SE5a’s are scheduled to make an appearance and weather permitting fly. I hope to see many of the members out with their warbirds too. If you decide to come please bring an item for the food bank.
I’ve included a picture of one of the two Canadian Armed forces personnel I will be honouring for their service.
Can you guess who it is?
Regards
Art Irwin. Past President. MAAC 12371
