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http://news.therecord.com/article/516605
Prince Andrew will attend local military homecoming
Valerie Hill
RECORD STAFF
Colonel-in-Chief Prince Andrew Duke of York will welcome home his Waterloo Region-based troops this month, in the largest return of veterans since the Korean War.
The veterans, all reservists in the Royal Highland Fusiliers have served in Afghanistan for six to nine months and are part of the standard rotation of troops. It just happens they are all due to come home at the same time, said Major Paul Pickering, operations officer at the Fusiliers' Cambridge armoury.
To welcome the troops, a special celebration gala entitled Celebrate Me Home: A Hero's Welcome Gala, will be held at Bingemans Ballroom April 24, attended by the veterans, dignitaries and the public as well as the prince, who will be in Canada to greet the soldiers and offer both support and congratulations for a job well done.
When the gala event takes place, 12 of the 16 Fusiliers will have returned home.
"It's coinciding with Prince Andrew coming to the region," said Pickering. "He was coming to visit: he is their colonel-in-chief and comes by every two or three years."
The 16 Fusiliers live in the region and are part of a larger group of 2,500 soldiers who are returning home from late March until early May.
There are also 42 returning soldiers from Waterloo Region who are serving in other units, including one from the engineering regiment.
The event will feature dinner plus entertainment by singer John McDermott and a pipe and drum corps followed by a dance with live music by Swing Shift Big Band. Tickets are $150 and available at www.rhfcgala.com or 519-741-2984.
vhill@therecord.com
Prince Andrew will attend local military homecoming
Valerie Hill
RECORD STAFF
Colonel-in-Chief Prince Andrew Duke of York will welcome home his Waterloo Region-based troops this month, in the largest return of veterans since the Korean War.
The veterans, all reservists in the Royal Highland Fusiliers have served in Afghanistan for six to nine months and are part of the standard rotation of troops. It just happens they are all due to come home at the same time, said Major Paul Pickering, operations officer at the Fusiliers' Cambridge armoury.
To welcome the troops, a special celebration gala entitled Celebrate Me Home: A Hero's Welcome Gala, will be held at Bingemans Ballroom April 24, attended by the veterans, dignitaries and the public as well as the prince, who will be in Canada to greet the soldiers and offer both support and congratulations for a job well done.
When the gala event takes place, 12 of the 16 Fusiliers will have returned home.
"It's coinciding with Prince Andrew coming to the region," said Pickering. "He was coming to visit: he is their colonel-in-chief and comes by every two or three years."
The 16 Fusiliers live in the region and are part of a larger group of 2,500 soldiers who are returning home from late March until early May.
There are also 42 returning soldiers from Waterloo Region who are serving in other units, including one from the engineering regiment.
The event will feature dinner plus entertainment by singer John McDermott and a pipe and drum corps followed by a dance with live music by Swing Shift Big Band. Tickets are $150 and available at www.rhfcgala.com or 519-741-2984.
vhill@therecord.com
