Major Charles Halikas, Deputy Commandant of the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Studies, leads a group of military members on the 2010 Ride for Dad Cross Country Tour as it passes through Winnipeg and the Wing. (Photo: Sgt B Mcleod)
17 WING WINNIPEG, Man. � Gleaming chrome and a crescendo of revving engines signaled the arrival of the 2010 Motorcycle Ride for Dad at 17 Wing Winnipeg on Wednesday, the 18th of August.
Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) motorcycle officers plus support vehicles escorted approximately forty motorcycles as they thundered north on Wihuri Road and into the Wing Recreation Centre complex parking lot where the riders thanked the Wing, WPS, and the sponsors of the Ride for Dad for their assistance and support.
Master of Ceremonies Wayne Rostad of CBC television�s On the Road Again fame enthusiastically informed the assembled riders, media, and spectators about the goals of the tour. The Ride for Dad Tour began when Gary Jens of Ottawa lost a close friend to prostate cancer. The tour now promotes awareness and raises money for two causes, prostate cancer and the Military Families Fund and General (Retired) Rick Hillier is one of the co-chairs of the Ride.
Colonel Yvan Boilard, 17 Wing Commander, gave a short welcoming speech to the tour, followed by Winnipeg Police Chief Keith McCaskill, and various sponsors. Mr. Rostad thanked the Wing Commander for providing the beautiful sunny weather in Winnipeg.
Following the ceremony and a brief lunch, the riders departed the Wing for their next stop on their cross-country odyssey, Brandon.
