The Great Escape Memorial
Project was
pleased to host “A Great Escape Gala” on January
19, 2006
at the Calgary Chamber of
Commerce.
This sell out evening featured a meaningful introduction of keynote
speaker,
Hon. Col Art Smith by Dr. Vince Murphy, a PoW from Stalag Luft III, and
a touching presentation by esteemed keynote speaker Hon. Col. Art Smith.
Carrie Tobolski-Scarff, grand daughter of Pawel Tobolki, one of the 50
executed during the Great Escape that took place in Sagan, German (now
Zagan, Poland) in 1944 also gave a presentation on the Great Escape
Memorial Project.. Martin Cronin, British Consulate General, who flew
in Vancouver also spoke of his brought well wishes and support for the
Great Escape Memorial Project.
John Melbourne, National Vice President of the Air Force Association of
Canada did a fine job as Master of Ceremonies to a sold out crowd of
over 250 guests. People flew in from across Canada and the United
States to attend this inaugural event.
The evening kicked off with a cocktail reception on the main floor of
the
Chamber of Commerce. Guests enjoyed reuniting with friends old and new
to live 40’s tunes by “Sentimental Journey
Trio” consisting of Sergeant Jeff Gaye, 4 Wing Cold Lake on
horn, Ordinary Seaman Adam Mayer, HMCS Tecumseh on piano and Petty
Officer First Class George Langley, HMCS Tecumseh on drums.
The Gala Dinner followed with a piping in of the Head Table by piper,
Ken
McTavish. Evening program included the welcome by the master of
ceremonies, a poppy ceremony, grace, a toast to the Queen, a toast to
our fallen comrades followed by a delicious four course dinner.
I think many would agree that this gala evening was a fitting and
memorable opportunity to pay respect those PoW’s that have
passed and also to honor those survivors stil with us today.
The surviving Pow’s from the Stalag Luft Camp present that
evening included: Dr. Vince Murphy, Ivan Anderson, Ian Fowler,Doug
Hawkes, Ian McLennan, and Bill Millar. Many friends and family
members of PoW’s were also present.
All proceeds raised from this Fundraising event will go towards seeing
the
Great Escape Memorials come to fruition. Two memorial tributes will be
designed and built, one in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and one in Zagan,
Poland at the Stalag Luft III PoW camp where the great escape took
place.
On behalf of all of the Great Escape Memorial Project Committee, we
would
like to extend our sincere gratitude to all those that came and
supported our inaugural fundraising gala and also to our volunteers and
corporate and individual donors who helped make this event a great
success.
Shannyn Scarff
Advisor, Fundraising & Communications
The Great Escape Memorial Project
The photographs on this page were taken by Sarando Girgulis, Image 40
Photography.
If you would like to order a picture. Please contact Sarando at
(403)703-3982 or by email at admin@image40.com
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