Cameco Canada Remembers International Air Show

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Cameco Canada Remembers Air Show -- 2008 (pg 2)

Veterans Pavilion offers chance at thanks, remembrance

While not representing a culture or country, the same festive air fills the Veterans Pavilion as at any of the other 15 Folkfest pavilions.

The Veterans Pavilion in the Nutana Legion is new to Folkfest this year. It was created as a replacement for the Canada Remembers Air Show, which was cancelled this year due to runway construction at Saskatoon's airport. There was a nod in that direction, with a B-25 Mitchell bomber from the Second World War flying over the pavilion several times at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

Folkfest began Thursday evening and, with a few exceptions, will continue from 5 p.m. to midnight today and from 3 p.m. to midnight on Saturday.

At the Veterans Pavilion, Tom McCloy, 78, said many of the veterans are getting on in age and there's no better time than now to remember their sacrifices. While not a veteran, he was part of the Canadian Officer's Training Corps and is active at the Nutana Legion's many social gatherings.

"It's important to have remembrance for the veterans," he said of the pavilion. "If we couldn't have the air show, this is the next best thing."

Earl Smith, 82, still remembers the day he signed up when he was only 16 years old. He served with the Sault St. Marie regiment from October 1941 to July 1945. He described the pavilion as a beautiful thing.

"They should have it every year," he said. "We should have the younger people remember the sacrifices people made for them."

The atmosphere of the pavilion is part Remembrance Day, part nostalgic sock hop. There was an opening ceremony with the parade of veterans marching to the North Saskatchewan Regimental Pipes and Drums. The pavilion's base camp (beer tent) features live '40s and '50s music and trivia about stars from that time.

A Remembrance Day atmosphere may not seem like a fitting theme for a Folkfest pavilion but the mood of the new pavilion is decidedly upbeat. There is a general feeling of pride and excitement from all of the volunteers and veterans. They're happy to show Saskatoon a part of the city they may have never seen before.

One of the biggest surprises at this venue is a full-blown war museum tucked in the basement of the Nutana Legion. The museum may be one of Saskatoon's best kept secrets, housing so much memorablia the two rooms that it fills feels crowded. Volunteer and museum committee member Jim McCrory said there is even more in storage.

On the menu is goulash ration (beef stew), musical fruit (baked beans), hardtack slav (biscuits and butter) and bread pudding for dessert. There is live music in the beer garden and lots of interesting things to see in the museum.

The Veteran's Pavilion will be closed on Saturday.

amattern@sp.canwest.com

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