Soldiers’ Appreciation Dinner

On 6 December 25, three Service Battalion Senate members—Maj (ret’d) Erv Gerbrandt, Capt (ret’d) Tim Klumper, and LCol (ret’d) Dale Watts—attended 17 Service Company’s Soldiers’ Appreciation Dinner at Minto Armouries on the east side of the Junior Ranks Mess. Almost 50 current and former serving soldiers were present. The Senate presented two awards: The Senate Scholarship Award was presented by LCol (ret’d) Watts to Cpl K. Oyewole; the Performance Recognition Award for exemplary soldiering was presented by Maj (ret’d) Gerbrandt to Cpl M. Crowe, RCEME. The Senate also sponsored an open bar up to $250 for the attendees.

The evening’s entertainment featured various individual soldiers and groups singing carols (on demand). Immediately following the dinner the Brigade Commander, Col E. Kotzer, and Brigade Sergeant Major, CWO J. Peterson, dropped in to wish the assembly a happy holiday season. The 17 Service Company was one of five local units holding their soldiers’ dinner that evening at Minto Armouries.