Kevin Vickers to deliver keynote speech at tribute for veterans

Former House of Commons sergeant-at-arms Kevin Vickers will deliver the keynote address at the Atlantic Maple Leaf tribute dinner next week to help raise money tosupportveterans and their families.

Monctonwill host the fourth annual Atlantic Maple Leaf tribute dinner as part of the lead up to Remembrance Day ceremonies.

The Nov.10 dinnerwill feature Vickers, who is Canada's ambassador to Irelandand new Order of New Brunswick member.

• Kevin Vickers among new members of Order of New Brunswick
• Kevin Vickers gives emotional account of shooting

Vickers, who is originally fromMiramichi, was involved in subduingMichaelZehaf-Bibeauafter he shot and killedCpl.NathanCirillo, a member of the honour guard at the National WarMemorial, on Oct. 22, 2014.

He was the sergeant-at-arms inthe House of Commons at the time.

It's very hard to find someone thatdoesn't have a person in their past, in their personal history, their family, that has served.- Elisabeth Rybak, Atlantic Maple Leaf

The CBC'sJonnaBrewer and HarryForestell will be masters of ceremonies at the event, which will also feature a performanceof "New Brunswick at War," a series of vignettesby actor Marshall Button.

ElisabethRybak,theAtlanticchair ofAtlantic Maple Leaf, avolunteer organization that supports veterans and their families, saidthe dinner will be a gala evening.

"We are expecting550people to join us," saidRybak.

"There are still a limited number of tickets available."

Proceeds will go to the Military Family Fund, cadet youth programs,Moncton'sRCMPfallen members fund and other charitiesthat support military heritage.

Military displays

Also on Nov. 10,historic military displays will be up at the AgrenaComplex andstudents and veterans will be given guided tours.

"Equipment displays, heritage vehicles, we haveWorld War two motorcycles, a replica Spitfire. Plus we have static displays from museums from all over ourregion. It's all about New Brunswick's proud military past," Rybaksaid.

The exhibitions will then open to the general public on Remembrance Day, following ceremonies at the Moncton Coliseum.

Rybak's involvement with the volunteer group is personal. Her son is a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan.

"In talking to NewBrunswickers, it's very hard to find someone thatdoesn't have a person in their past, in their personal history, their family, that has served," she said.

"We have a higher than average, national average, enlistmentrate in the arm forces here in New Brunswick, so there's a lot of families that know what it's like to have someone who has served."

To date, the annual black-tie dinner has raised almost $2 million to help wounded soldiers and their families.