MONTREAL, June 3, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - With the 100th anniversary of the First World War and the 70th anniversary of the Allied landing in Normandy, 2014 is a year marked by numerous international or national initiatives to pay tribute to the women and men who fought to defend life, justice and freedom. Closer to home, 2014 also marks the centenary of the founding of the Royal 22e Régiment, the Régiment de Hull, the Royal Montreal Regiment and CFB Valcartier.
To celebrate, with great fanfare, the outstanding achievements of Quebec military history and the sacrifices of our soldiers and their families, 2nd Canadian Division has organized Con forza, a series of concerts and military displays. This is the first such event, whose activities will be held in Quebec City from June 30 to July 3.
"We decided to launch Con forza in beautiful Quebec City, the cradle of our military history," said Brigadier-General Jean-Marc Lanthier, Commander of 2nd Canadian Division.
An indoor concert will be held at Palais Montcalm on June 30 at 7:30 pm to kick off Con forza activities. During the first part of the concert, the Royal 22e Régiment Band will transport you through time with classical music selections from the First and Second World War, the Korean War and the recent conflict in Afghanistan. During the second half of the concert, our guest performers––Rémi Chassé of La Voix, Martin Levac from the Genesis tribute show and actor‑singer Jason Roy-Léveillée––accompanied by the Royal 22e Régiment Band, promise you a lively show with original performances and medleys of popular music from bands such as Harmonium, Offenbach and Genesis.
"Con forza is a unique opportunity to highlight Canada's Francophone military heritage through celebrations surrounding Canada Day and the anniversary of Quebec City," noted Colonel Dany Fortin, Commander of 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group.
On July 1, 2 and 3, military activities and demonstrations will be offered as part of Con forza. On July 1, at noon, there will be a traditional Canadian flag raising ceremony and a 21‑gun salute at Quebec City Hall. Then, at 1:00 pm, Canadian cadets will hold a demonstration on the Plains of Abraham. Later on, at 7:00 pm, the Eastern Region cadet elite band will offer a free concert at the Edwin-Bélanger Bandstand. On July 2, Con forza musical performances will be held during the day at numerous sites in Old Quebec: at City Hall, Place Royale and Côte de la Citadelle. The concerts will be held between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm. On July 3, at noon, the Royal 22e Régiment's freedom of the city ceremony will take place at Quebec City Hall. The ceremony is a longstanding tradition during which a city gives a military unit permission to parade in its streets with drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed.
The concept behind Con forza is to offer the people of Quebec City free concerts by Canadian military bands, displays, a parade and a grand indoor concert, to pay tribute to the courage and dedication of the women and men who have joined the Canadian Forces.
For more information on the event, please visit www.conforza.ca.
SOURCE: National Defence
Captain Josée Bilodeau, 2nd Cdn Div Public Affairs Officer, Telephone: 514-252-2777, ext 4211, or cell: 514-449-6839, E-mail: [email protected]
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