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Veterans receive musical salute at City Hall concert

November 5, 2025

Cpl Maxime Proulx at 2018 Ex Heavy Loader Competition

The Regimental Band of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, played a free concert with VIP guests for Veterans on Nov. 2, to honour the start of Veterans week and upcoming Remembrance Day. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News)

K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media

Military Veterans received a musical salute, featuring the melodic harmonies of the 26th Field Regiment Pipes and Drums, and the Regimental Band of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, on Nov. 2.

The free concert at Brandon City Hall, hosted by Brandon Salutes, with support from Brandon Legion and the Brandon Army, Navy, and Air Force Veterans Association (ANAF), is an ode to the start of Veterans Week, honouring the upcoming Remembrance Day and the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces.

“It’s our way of creating some awareness to honour the military relationships in our community,” Barry Cooper, Brandon Salutes Chair, said.

Attended by more than 60 public, honourary guests were CFB Shilo Base Commander Lieutenant-Colonel J.P. Ngyuen, Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett, Minister of Municipal and Northern Affairs and MLA for Brandon East Glen Simmard, as well as MLA for Spruce Woods Colleen Robbins.

Base Commander LCol Nguyen said first and foremost, the concert is a great opportunity to give back to the Veterans.

“It is an opportunity for them to reconnect with their military roots and to share some long-standing traditions.”

He said Brandon Salutes does an incredible job of connecting the Chamber of Commerce, City of Brandon, and the CFB Shilo Base to share and prosper with the region.

“The relationships allow [kinship and reciprocity] with the community,” LCol Nguyen said.

“The concert was beautiful with stirring music. It was great to hear some of those tunes from scenes and movies that connect us in the military and uplift our spirits.”

Spruce Woods MLA Colleen Robbins said it is the season of remembering our Veterans.

“We should remember them every day, and we do celebrate on Nov. 11, also now Nov. 8 for Indigenous Veterans Day,” she said, referring to the Manitoba Government passing the Indigenous Veteran Days Act recently.

“We need to honour [Veterans]. It brings the community together to remember, so we never forget our freedoms.”

A free concert with VIP guests for Veterans was held on Nov. 2 at Brandon City Hall to honour the start of Veterans week and upcoming Remembrance Day. (Photo: Supplied Dallas Rudkavitch)

The 26th Field Regiment Pipes and Drums, a free concert with VIP guests for Veterans on Nov. 2, to honour the start of Veterans week and upcoming Remembrance Day. (Photo: Supplied Dallas Rudkavitch)

The 26th Field Regiment Pipes and Drums, played a free concert for Veterans with VIP guests in attendance on Nov. 2, to honour the start of Veterans week, and upcoming Remembrance Day. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag Media)

Lieutenant-Colonel J.P. Nguyen stands at attention during a piece of music played in dedication to the Army, on Nov. 2, to honour the start of Veterans week, and upcoming Remembrance Day. (Photo: Supplied Dallas Rudkavitch)

Being a musician doesn’t stop one from feeling the music in heartfelt moments at the free concert for Veterans on Nov. 2, to honour the start of Veterans week and upcoming Remembrance Day. (Photo: Supplied Dallas Rudkavitch)