Edmonton hosts Grey Cup match, Canadian Forces

Edmonton, Alberta — Canadian Forces (CF) personnel connected with Canadians November 24–28, lending their enthusiastic support to the 98th Grey Cup celebrations in the host city. The Grey Cup game between the Montréal Alouettes and the Saskatchewan Roughriders was held on Sunday, but the Edmonton community put on a near-weeklong party.

The CF joined in the festivities, lending a little CADPAT colour to the popular zip line and staffing the military displays set up in Churchill Square—renamed Huddle Town for Grey Cup week.

“Everyone is digging the display,” said Master Corporal Sean Stepan, of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. “They are asking us what each weapon does, how many we carry and how heavy it is; all the basic stuff.”

“I started up the tank,” said Jenna Lambert, Calgary Stampede Queen 2011. “It was crazy. I never thought I would do something like that.”

Second Lieutenant Jordan Rychlo, 4 Wing Cold Lake, worked at the CF-18 cockpit display. “It’s been going great. It’s really cool to have people come up and learn about the aircraft,” he said. “A lot of people have a lot of questions; other people just want to shake your hand and say ‘thanks.’”

Soldiers and armoured vehicles were also a part of the annual Grey Cup parade, and representatives from the Army, Navy and Air Force provided a Colour Party for the opening ceremonies at the game.

For Captain Franz Sobek, of Joint Task Force West, it was a successful event. “The festival went great,” he said. “Now that the game is going, everything seems to be in place, so it should be a good show.

“Watch the air,” he added. After the singing of O Canada, the Snowbirds from 431 Air Demonstration Squadron flew over the stadium to thunderous applause.

“We’re lucky enough to be a recognizable symbol for all Canadians,” said Lieutenant Colonel Maryse Carmichael, commanding officer of the Snowbirds. “That’s what we did today; just show the professionalism of everyone in the CF.”

Though the CF won the hearts of thousands of Grey Cup supporters, the winners of this year’s championship game were the Montréal Alouettes, beating out the Saskatchewan Roughriders 21–18 before a sold-out crowd.

Articles and photos by Cpl Bill Gomm, 38 CBG Public Affairs