CORNWALL, Ontario – Local troops were greeted as heroes and treated to a free supper, courtesy of the Cornwall-based Red Ribbon Forces campaign.
Brian Goodfellow and Eleanor Bookman hosted the event at Scores restaurant on Wednesday evening (Oct. 29) to honour members of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders and the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Control Operations (CFSACO), from the NAV Canada Training Institute (NCTI).
“We invited them to come for supper as a thank you,” said Goodfellow. “It’s so important that we get the public to step up and show support for our troops, because it’s just the two of us.”
The retired duo founded Red Ribbon Forces in 2006, inspired by the Kinette Club of Cornwall’s participation in the ‘Chosen Soldier Project,’ which sent care packages to Afghanistan.
According to Goodfellow, Red Ribbon Forces has raised over $53,000 in support of men and women in uniform, as well as Canadian police and their families.
“Being recognized really helps us do our job,” said SDG Highlanders Acting Commanding Officer Jason Steeves. “The advocacy these two do on behalf of veterans is absolutely incredible. It makes us feel so welcome.”
Organizers thanked the Brookdale Avenue eatery for serving up a 10 per cent discount for each soldier, in addition to seating them in a large reserved area.
Steeves added: “This (event) is great for two reasons: sometimes it just feels good to be appreciated for the tough job that these soldiers do. (2) As a reserve force unit (SDG Highlanders), our reserve soldiers are members of this community that dedicate their time. They’re mothers, fathers, business owners, and workers. So seeing them recognized means the world to us.”
For more information, visit www.supportcanadatroops.ca.
