100th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme Commemorative Dinner

CALGARY, Alberta - Aug. 2, 2016 - PRLog -- In commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, the Military Museums Foundation and the PPCLI Foundation are co-hosting a Gala Memorial Dinner at the The Military Museums on Saturday, September 24, 2016. All proceeds from the evening will go to supporting youth education programs which bring to life Canada's rich military heritage.

The evening will begin with a VIP reception in the Victor Taboika Exhibit in Cooper-Key Hall. The Exhibit, featuring a collection of over 100 First World War uniforms on display is unique in that it represents WWI units from across the country, including all four Canadian infantry divisions and the Canadian Cavalry Brigade. The reception will be followed by a formal military dinner in the Naval Museum, and then an auction.

The evening celebrations will pay tribute to those heroic Canadians who participated in the Battle of the Somme, especially those who paid the supreme sacrifice. Few words conjure the futility and the staggering losses of the First World War like the Somme.

Fought between July and November 1916, the Battle of the Somme was one of the defining events of the First World War and the largest battle on the western front.  Over one million were wounded, killed or missing on both sides of the battlefield. As well as being the deadliest battle of the 1914-1918 conflict, it was also one of the bloodiest battles in human history.

"This event will commemorate the actions of the Canadian Corps from its engagement in the Somme on 15 September 1916 to 18 November, a period of little more than two months of bloody and difficult fighting during which more than 24,000 Canadians became casualties," said Patti O'Connor, the event committee Chairman and a Director of the Military Museum Foundation.

Barry Ashton, past President of the PPCLI Foundation and former officer in the Regiment, said: "The Somme, while a devastating battle, helped to prepare the Canadians for the fighting in 1917 at Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, and later in the Pursuit to Mons in the final stages of the War. We continue to honour and remember the sacrifice of so many fine Canadian youth and recognize the need to ensure this sacrifice is never forgotten."

Donations and proceeds from the evening will support the following opportunities for youth: Educational programs at the Military Museums; Ongoing access to the PPCLI Museum located within the Military Museums; European field trips; and the PPCLI cadet corps which contributes to the development and leadership skills and help build a future for youth, particularly in remote and First Nation communities.

Event Page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1035611686531577/