Pipe band members from across B.C. are preparing for a return to the Netherlands on the 75th anniversary of the country鈥檚 liberation from Nazi Germany.
More than 20 Okanagan pipers met at the Vernon Cadet Camp Saturday, March 7, to practice for the excursion to the former European battlegrounds.
Led by 91大黄鸭 Pipe Band Major Chad Goodman, the pipers and drummers filled a spacious warehouse with the sound of the traditional songs they鈥檒l perform at a number of significant events in May.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very excited about this trip, we鈥檙e planning it in eight different venues over in the Netherlands,鈥� Goodman said.
Kalamalka Highlanders Pipe Band Major Maureen Soichuk is among the 75 pipers and drummers who will make the trip next month.
鈥淲e鈥檙e so looking forward to it, to seeing the history, and we are doing a trip to Vimy Ridge to play there which is such an honour,鈥� she said.
In addition to the Vimy Ridge memorial - the site of Canada鈥檚 most celebrated military victory - the band members will perform Remembrance services in the Dutch village of Diever, take part in a King鈥檚 Day celebration and a number of other parades and commemorations around the Netherlands.
About 10 current and former Highlanders players will be making the trip. Soichuk says she looks forward to playing with those former Highlanders again.
鈥淚t鈥檒l be good to see them again 鈥� getting together with old friends.鈥�
The pipers and drummers will be doing a pub crawl in the Vernon area tonight, March 7, stopping in at 11 different venues. The pub crawl is a final fundraiser for the trip to the Netherlands.
鈥淎fter two years of fundraising we鈥檙e so close but we鈥檙e just short on bussing costs,鈥� said Carrie Whittla, treasurer of the 91大黄鸭 Pipe Band.
On Thursday Kootenay MLA Tom Shypitka took a moment in the B.C. Legislature to praise the band鈥檚 pilgrimage.
鈥淭his is a proud moment for all of these band members to represent British Columbia,鈥� he said. 鈥淗ats off for the coordinating efforts of piper major Chad Goodman with the 91大黄鸭 Pipe Band Society.鈥�
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