The Kamsack air cadets are planning to take an educational tour overseas in 2019, and members of the Old Dog Run have committed to raise money to help them make the trip.
“This will be the 12th annual Run and it will happen on August 11,” said Joe Kozakewich of Kamsack, who, along with Tom Campbell of Yorkton, originated the event and has made the trip every year.
“We have decided to donate the money we raise by doing this year’s Run to the Kamsack Air Cadets, who are planning to take a trip overseas next year to the site of D-Day, on what will be its 75th anniversary” he said.
On June 6, 1944, American, Canadian, and British forces made history as 156,000 soldiers landed on the heavily-fortified coast of France's Normandy region on what has become known as D-Day. This was one of the largest amphibious military assaults in history, marking the beginning of the end of the Second World War, and marked the beginning of the Allied invasion of Western Europe.
In honor of D-Day's 75th anniversary in 2019, the Kamsack air cadets plan to “walk in their footsteps” during their historic event tour from May 31 to June 9.
They will follow in the footsteps of Canadian and Allied soldiers in the Second World War as they travel from London, across the English Channel by boat, and land in Normandy. There, they will commemorate the D-Day anniversary and learn about the context of this important invasion at Bletchley Park and the Churchill War Rooms, said a release.
They will participate in once-in-a-lifetime commemoration ceremonies and programming designed to prompt participants to think critically about the past and develop an informed understanding of its impact on the present and future, the release said.
The trip itinerary will lead the cadets from London to the Normandy region of France, then to Paris, and home.
“Keanna Romanuik and Cade Martino made the trip to Normandy on the 70th Anniversary of D-Day, when they were new cadets,” said 2Lt. Karen Tourangeau. “They plan to be able to make the trip again in 2019, which will be their last year in cadets. This will be a remarkable achievement and instill in them an impactful sense of history.”
“It will cost approximately $4,000 to $4,300 per cadet to go on this trip, and we feel that every cadet should have the opportunity to go,” Kozakewich said.
“The opportunity to see the location where D-Day took place will be momentous and leave a lasting impression on the cadets.
“The cadet program itself is so worthwhile for young people, teaching them leadership, self-discipline, determination, the value of hard work and contributing to his or her community as well as a sense of teamwork,” said Kozakewich.
“I am looking forward to the ride in August and am glad to be a part of a fundraising project for such a worthwhile organization as the Air Cadets.”
Last year the Run raised $10,781 for the Kamsack Volunteer Fire Department’s project to enhance its rescue equipment, and overall has raised more than $100,000 for various community charities over the past nine years, including the Playhouse Theatre, Eaglestone Lodge, the Kamsack Community Choir, Sparty Park at Victoria School, the Medical Clinic and Kamsack and District Nursing Home.
“The number of riders varies from year to year,” Kosakewich said. “There have been as many as 21, and last year we had 10.
The Run starts in Kamsack around 6 a.m., proceeds through Canora and reaches Yorkton, then returns through Wroxton, to arrive in Kamsack around 12 hours later, having gone a distance of 168 kilometres.
“Again this year the management and staff of Quality Tire in Yorkton will provide a mid-point lunch for the riders,” Kozakewich said. “The company will provide a large vehicle carrying equipment to accompany the cyclists and be available in case of any needed repairs. In addition, an EMT vehicle supplied by Duck Mountain Ambulance will escort the riders in the event of an emergency. We thank Jim Pollock and his staff for the use of this vehicle.”
The reward of participation in the Run is a terrific sense of accomplishment, Kozakewich said, reiterating that it is not a race, but an event.
“Don’t let fear of the distance put you off,” he said, adding that the riders are provided with nourishment and drinks they need, there are plenty of stops along the way and the group travels on the highway as fast as the slowest rider. All the participants encourage one another during the ride, and to date no one has dropped out.
There will be a welcome reception held when the riders return to Kamsack. The location is as yet undetermined, but it will be hosted by the air cadets. Everyone is invited to come out and show support.
The riders must be 50 years or older to participate, hence the name “Old Dog Run.” Persons wishing to obtain more information, make a donation or to register to ride are asked to contact Kozakewich, Campbell or Tourangeau, or any member of the Air Cadet Civilian Committee, and all persons registered will be kept in contact through email.
All one needs is a good bike and a willingness to do it, Kozakewich said, adding that persons new to the Run will want to begin practicing as soon as possible to make the Run easier to accomplish.
