The Canadian Cattlemen's Association is pleased to be a part of a milestone Steaks for Soldiers event at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Edmonton on Sunday, June 3. The troops being honoured were the last soldiers to return from Kandahar Province, marking a full circle for the CCA which has supported the Steaks for Soldiers campaign since the first troop rotation came back from Afghanistan in 2007.
CCA Directors along with directors from Alberta Beef Producers and Alberta Cattle Feeders as well Alberta cattlemen and representatives from Canada Beef Inc. will be on hand to help serve 1,600 New York medallions to 600 base personnel and their families at a special Family Day Welcome Home event at CFB Edmonton. The event is being held in appreciation of the Bravo Company, the last infantry unit on the ground in Kandahar during a major drawdown operation.
Members of the Bravo Company had to be flexible and prepared for all contingencies, including combat. Click here to read about Bravo Company's role in the largest drawdown operation in Canadian history.
The CCA is pleased to support the Steaks for Soldiers events. The original event in 2007 was held as a way for Canadian beef producers to express their gratitude for the service of the Canadian troops by treating them to a great steak dinner.
The CCA sponsored the 1,700 steaks served to the returning troops of the Royal Canadian Regiment and their families at CFB Petawawa at the 2007 event. In early 2010, Manitoba businessman Harvey Dann independently spearheaded the Sponsor a Steak for a Returning Soldier campaign as a way for beef producers to extend their ongoing gratitude to the Canadian Forces.
The CCA teamed up with Dann to put forth a joint effort to repeat and expand the original 2007 event at CFB Petawawa to all major CFB's across Canada. Dann has worked tirelessly to raise nearly $120,000 in contributions to attain his goal. Nearly 650 people, 95 per cent of whom are cattle producers, have donated to the campaign.
Since 2010, Steaks for Soldiers events have been held at CFB Edmonton (June 19, 2010), CFB Shilo in Manitoba (June 20, 2010) and CFB Valcartier (October 14, 2011). CCA representatives were on hand at all of these events, assisting in the preparation and serving of 1,200 steaks, 850 steaks, and nearly 4,000 steaks, respectively.
Upcoming 2012 events include a 100 steak program at the Royal United Services Institute - Regina Officers' Mess on May 25 as well as an event at Shilo, Manitoba in July with numbers to be determined.
The CCA thanks producers who have contributed to this important campaign.
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