2nd Annunal Boomer's Legacy Event - Press Release

Another Fundraiser Set for Boomer's Legacy

Published: August 07, 2008 3:00 PM
Updated: August 07, 2008 6:48 PM

Newspaper columnist Christie Blatchford to speak Sept. 13

The legacy will live on for Cpl. Andrew (Boomer) Eykelenboom - with a second fundraising event planned in his honour this September.

The second annual Boomer"s Legacy event will be held Sept. 13 - and will feature a speaking presentation by Globe and Mail columnist Christie Blatchford to help fundraise for humanitarian work in Afghanistan.

"Through Boomer's Legacy we can express support for our soldiers, contribute to the health and education of children in Afghanistan and make a difference in a global sense," said Maureen Eykelenboom, Andrew"s mother and Boomer's Legacy founder.

Andrew - known as Boomer to his Canadian Forces friends - was serving as a medic in Afghanistan in 2006, when he was killed by a suicide bomber.

His mother, with the support of family and friends, started Boomer"s Legacy in his honour. It raises funds for the Provincial Reconstruction Team - a Canadian Forces group working on the ground in some of Afghanistan"s most struggling areas.

"In small, personal ways, Boomer and his comrades felt they were able to make a special contribution to bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan," said a press release this week. "Boomer's Legacy was created to further these accomplishments."

The event Sept. 13, at the Stan Hagen Theatre, will focus on the issues still facing Afghanistan and the Canadians who are working there to improve the country.

Blatchford, a well-known reporter and columnist, spent the second half of 2006 covering Canada"s operations in Afghanistan. From those experiences she wrote the book Fifteen Days: Stories of Bravery, Friendship, Life and Death from Inside the Canadian Army - which includes an entry about Eykelenboom.

She's a personal supporter of Boomer's Legacy, and known to be a lively and engaging speaker. Each ticket holder will receive a copy of Fifteen Days, donated by Blatchford and publisher Doubleday Canada.

Also speaking that evening will be Lt.-Col. Ian Hope, commanding officer of the Canadian Battle Group (Task Force Orion) in southern Afghanistan.

Hope has been at Headquarters, International Security Assistance Force Afghanistan since May 2004, working on the Afghan national strategy. He also has a personal connection to Boomer's Legacy through Cpl. Eykelenboom and the family is honoured to have him speak at the event.

Local pianist Sarah Hagen will perform that evening, along with the band Many Waters, which wrote the song Kandahar Fields and has dedicated it to Andrew. The evening will be emceed by Bill Macfarlane, A News reporter.

Other event highlights will include a Boomer's Legacy military medic tent entry and a wine and chocolate bar.

Tickets are $50 and are available by pickup or charge by phone at Blue Heron Books. They're also available at Laughing Oyster Books, Coast Country Insurance in Courtenay and 19 Wing Comox Family Resource Centre.

For more information, phone 250-339-8211, ext. 8310, or visit www.boomerslegacy.ca.

reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com