Batter Up! Stampede flips out for sailors’ sweet stacks

Chief Petty Officer Second Class Benito Beaudoin, Coxwain HMCS Tecumseth, and Commander Andy Paschke, Commanding Officer HMCS Tecumseth, prepare pink pancakes during the Pink Pancake Stampede Breakfast on July 13. Photo supplied.

Kateryna Bandura 
Editor

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White-uniformed sailors fed hundreds of people at the annual Pink Pancake Stampede Breakfast on July 13 in Calgary, Alta.

“Many folks were asking questions about us cooking in our white uniforms, but we kept them clean, for the most part,” said Lieutenant (Navy) John Foster, Public Affairs Officer at Western Region Naval Reserves.

The crews of HMCS Tecumseth and HMCS Calgary delighted Calgarians with a traditional pancake breakfast to raise awareness of the Canadian Cancer Society and encourage participation in the CIBC Run for the Cure.

Four sailors from Calgary and Tecumseth cooked and served pink pancakes, along with Commander (Cdr) Andy Paschke, Commanding Officer (CO) of HMCS Tecumseh; Chief Petty Officer Second Class (CPO2) Benito Beaudoin, Coxswain of HMCS Tecumseh; Cdr Adriano Lozer, CO of HMCS Calgary; and Chief Petty Officer First Class Armand Reelick, Coxswain of HMCS Calgary.

CPO2 Beaudoin said his unit did not have the opportunity to connect with Calgarians since the pandemic.

“As the local unit Coxswain, it was a great pleasure to put on my cowboy hat and my full white to serve pancakes at an official Stampede Breakfast event this year,” CPO2 Beaudoin said. “HMCS Tecumseh sailors want to help and participate in various events around Calgary. That is who we are.”

The event provided an opportunity for community outreach, Lt(N) Foster said. The Royal Canadian Navy’s mascot, Sonar, entertained families with young kids, who could try on firefighting gear and have their photos taken.

“We attended to serve and interact with the public and raise awareness of the navy in Alberta, and connect Calgarians to their local Naval Reserve Division and namesake ship,” Lt(N) Foster said.

“The term ‘maritime blindness’ is a real thing on the prairies,” he said.

The breakfast allowed the sailors to showcase the navy to Calgarians.

“Calgarians are generally inquisitive and supportive of the military and what better way to connect than over food,” he said.

Lt(N) Foster said HMCS Tecumseth plans to continue participating in the Pink Pancake Stampede Breakfast for years to come.