Brooks: Grand Highland Military Ball makes triumphant return

Author of the article:

Bill Brooks  •  Calgary Herald

Published May 14, 2022  •  Last updated May 14, 2022  •  2 minute read

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The 72nd Grand Highland Military Ball held in the Crystal Ballroom at the Fairmont Palliser was sold out months prior. Pictured are, from left: Honorary Lt.-Col. Brian Parker, president and CEO Acumen Capital Partners, with his wife Sharon Parker, Honorary Col. and ARC Financial co-chair Lauchlan Currie and Lt.-Col. and Commanding Officer Andrew Beauchamp. Photos, Bill Brooks jpg

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The 72nd Grand Highland Military Ball, held May 7 in the Crystal Ballroom at the Fairmont Palliser, was an evening of celebration and gratitude. It marks the important connection between our military community in Calgary and gratitude for all the citizen-soldiers who serve with honour and pride. The event raised $200,000 – the most in its 72-year history.

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Since 1910, the Regiment of The Calgary Highlanders has served in Calgary, sending soldiers overseas during both world wars, on numerous UN peacekeeping and NATO missions since the end of the Second World War, and deployed more than 125 soldiers during the war in Afghanistan. The regiment was also heavily involved in Operation Lentus, aiding Calgary during the 2013 flood. Further, the Calgary Highlanders have been preparing for another upcoming deployment to Latvia as well as Kuwait in addition to current deployments in Iraq and Ukraine. The Calgary Highlanders have been providing soldiers to Alberta’s military pandemic responses and wildfire efforts in B.C. as well.

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The theme of this year’s ball was Our Proud History. Highlights were numerous including Scottish country dances; Presentation of the Haggis; performances by the Calgary Highlanders Regimental Pipes and Drums; the Grand March and Glenwhorple; and choral performances from the Calgary Girls Choir Brava Ensemble.

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Among the hundreds of guests were: former Lt.-Gov. Lois Mitchell and her husband Doug Mitchell; special guests Cpl. (ret’d) George Morasch and Col. Mike Vernon, Commander of 41 Canadian Brigade Group, with his wife Sherri White Vernon; Alberta Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver and his wife Christine; Hon. Lt.-Col. Brian Parker, president and CEO Acumen Capital Partners with his wife Sharon Parker; Hon. Col. and ARC Financial co-chair Lauchlan Currie; Maj. Kent Griffiths who did a stellar Presentation of the Haggis; Lt.-Col. and Commanding Officer Andrew Beauchamp; philanthropist Murray McCann and his wife Carol McCann; patrons Sean and Shenda Libin; Calgary Stampede vice-chairman Steve McDonough; MNP’s Jason Tuffs and his wife Christine with colleagues Gordon Chan and his wife June Chan; STEP Energy Services CEO Regan Davis; Sanjel Energy Services CFO Leonard Cornez; Black Diamond Group’s Trevor Haynes and his wife Tory Haynes with colleagues Mark Armstrong and his wife Cristal Armstrong; my guide Michelle Nikkel; and others pictured.

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Pictured from left at the 72nd Grand Highland Military Ball are Maj. Kent Griffiths, Cpl (ret’d) George Morasch, Highland board member Christine McIver with her husband Ric McIver, Alberta Minister of Municipal Affairs. jpg

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Pictured from left, are community supporters Murray and Carol McCann with patrons Sean and Shenda Libin. jpg

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From left: Chad Tawfik, deputy chief of Calgary Police Services’ community policing bureau, Regimental Sgt. Maj. Travis Juska; Plastic Bank General Counsel Lynel Barrow and retired Det. Tom Barrow. jpg

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Dame Glynis Grigg, left, with Julien De Schutter, Janyn Bertram and her husband John Bertram. jpg

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From left: Cpt. Reverend Derwyn Costinak with his wife Wanda Costinak; with Shizuka Povaschuk and her husband Michael Povaschuk, managing director at RBC Capital Markets. jpg

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MNP was one of the invaluable patrons at this year’s Grand Highland Military Ball. Pictured from left are MNP’s Gordon Chan and his wife June Chan, with Christine Tuffs and her husband Jason Tuffs, CEO and chairman, MNP. jpg

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From left: Sanjel Energy Services’ CFO Leonard Cornez, Kelly Deplaedt, Kristine Morrous, and STEP Energy CEO Regan Davis. jpg

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Black Diamond Group was one of the invaluable patrons at the 72nd Grand Highland Military Ball. Pictured from left are Black Diamond’s Mark and Cristal Armstrong with Trevor and Tory Haynes. jpg