The Royal Canadian Air Force was putting on the ritz at their biennial gala last night at Southport.  The event was held as a fundraiser to support the Portage Rotary Club and the Soldier On program.  The Soldier On program supports past and current military personnel who have a physical or mental injury as a result of their service to adjust to life as civilians or return to duty in the military.  Base Commandant Lieutenant-Colonel Marc-Antoine Fecteau spoke about how it feels to have the support of the community.

The empty table to honour fallen soldiers. "It makes me proud that people want to support this worthy cause," says Fecteau. "They came to support us even though the name is the RCAF Gala but it's one of the only formal events in the region.  We live for the support of the community.  We would not be able to fulfill our mission to train the air warriors of tomorrow without the support of the community.  To have them here tonight just makes me really proud and really happy."

Dignitaries including MP Candace Bergen, Premier Brian Pallister, local MLA Ian Wishart and the Mayor of Portage Irvine Ferris attended the event.  

"On behalf of Rotary, we're really excited to partner with the RCAF Gala," says Portage Rotary Club Public Relations Director Preston Meier. "It's incredible the support we get from everybody in the Portage and District area, certainly political representation -- the Premier, the MP, the MLA and the Mayor -- and so on.  It
The RCAF 'Jetstream' Band performs. really excites us because, of course, Rotarians are all about partnerships."

Guests to the Gala were treated to the musical stylings of the RCAF 'Jetstream' band throughout the evening.  As gala-goers mingled among the helicoptors and airplanes they were dressed to impress. The evening can only be described as a success for both the Portage Rotary Club and Soldier On.