LEST
WE FORGET
2018 - This November marks the 100th
Anniversary of the end of WWI. The Armistice to end the War happened on the 11th Hour of the
11th Day of the 11th month 1918. To honour this historic anniversary
both the Minor Midget and Major Atom AAA
teams are dedicating this season as a tribute to the brave men and women
who fought and died in this war. The two teams have embarked on a mentorship
program, working towards a common bond of growing both as hockey players and as
men of character.
The Jr. Rangers have symbolized this by wearing the Commemorative 3rd Jersey created and worn by our own Kitchener Rangers Major Jr. A Hockey Club. The Kitchener Rangers Major Jr. A Hockey Club designed and created the crest on the front of this jersey based on the WWI recruitment poster of Lord Kitchener. Its conception was to honour the men and women of our Canadian Forces. The Kitchener Rangers were the first team in the OHL and in Major Junior Hockey to wear a Commemorative 3rd Jersey to honour our veterans. This has grown into a trend whereby teams of all leagues around North America have followed suit, in a way of honouring Remembrance Day and our veterans.
The Kitchener Rangers have been pioneers in both honouring our veterans but also in supporting local minor hockey. They were the first team in the OHL to partner with their local association in a sponsorship capacity. It was at this point KMHA became known as the Kitchener Jr Rangers.
It is in cementing this partnership that the Major Atom AAA and Minor Midget AAA teams will follow the spirit and lead of the Rangers of honouring our veterans by donning the alternate jersey.
Together the Major Atom and Minor Midget AAA teams will be the only teams in the association to wear these jerseys as they participate and work together on a newly created program of character building. To date the boys have participated in honouring our veterans at a special luncheon by the Major Atoms, both teams have attended a character-building speaking engagement by one of the Local Royal Highland Fusiliers and with more exciting learning and growing opportunities coming their way.
The Minor Midgets have taken on a leadership role in mentoring the Major Atoms this season. The boys have graciously given their time to attend practices with the Atoms once a week. Here they work with the boys, help with the drills in practice and they have been outstanding in this capacity.
Together the teams look to work through the character program together, both growing as hockey players and as young men who will represent our community and association at the highest levels of their age groups. For both teams to recognize and experience what it means to honour the ultimate sacrifices of those who have served for freedom at such a young age will be something they will be able to cherish and model for a very long time.
Kitchener, Ontario, has a proud and rich Military Service record. Many residents in our city participated and died in the Great War. Participation continued with gallant service in WWII, most notably the famed Trio of Milt Schmidt, Bobby Bauer and Woody Dumart – THE KRAUT LINE, who, in the midst of the pinnacle of their careers in the National Hockey League, signed on as part of the Royal Canadian Air Force and headed overseas to fight in WWII. The Major Atoms being “Kitchener’s Hockey Ambassadors” are living the example set by the Kraut Line. Their practice jerseys are dedicated to the famous Trio as a reminder of what hard work, dedication and commitment means.
With 619,636 Canadians enlisted with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during WWI, approximately 424,000 served overseas. Of these men and women, 59,544 members of the CEF died during the war, 51,748 of them because of enemy action. We as Canadians have much to be thankful for as so many paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
This November marks the 100th Anniversary of the end of WWI. To honour this historic anniversary, both the Minor Midget and Major Atom AAA teams are marking this season as a tribute to the brave men and women who fought and died in this war. Join our two teams in honouring and thanking those who have served and given their time and the many who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.
It is our hope to bring awareness, respect and honour to those few who sacrificed so much so we could all be free. We hope to grow in character as young men and continue to remember their sacrifice.
WE WILL HONOUR
WE WILL REMEMBER
Written by:
Ron Paleczny – Head Coach Major Atom AAA
