Captain Marc Therien and Warrant Officer Ken Kennedy stand in the board room at Flight 144 Pictou, where Therien is the commanding officer. (Goodwin photo)
The Pictou County Weeks Crushers hosted a Military Appreciation Night during their Maritime Junior Hockey League game against the Valley Wildcats on Nov. 8 at the Pictou County Wellness Centre.
It was an opportunity for fans to take part in the game and for the Crushers to honour Canada’s men and women in uniform.
“Any time you can salute the military men and women who serve their country, it’s an honour,” Crushers’ general manager and assistant coach Chad McDavid said. “We were excited to be part of it.”
A special admission charge of $5 was in effect for Legion members and military personnel in uniform.
Members of the Flight 144 Construction Engineering Flight in Pictou expressed appreciation for the event and the Crushers’ participation.
The event was arranged by the Crushers in partnership with 14 Airfield Engineering Flight Lunenburg that commands Flight 144 Pictou and several other engineering flights.
Recruits learn carpenter trades by working on civilian projects that prepare them for military engineering projects in Canada and overseas.
“I think it’s excellent,” said Ken Kennedy, Warrant Officer at Flight 144. “If you look 360 degrees (in Pictou County), you will see projects that our Flight has been involved with.”
Captain Marc Therien, commanding officer at Flight 144, said recruiting is important and he hopes the Military Appreciation Night will encourage more people to sign up. There are 55 positions and just 30 currently stationed at the flight.
“It’s good to let people know there is an air force presence,” he said. “The more people we have, the more we can help the community with projects.”