On Saturday, April 25, the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association welcomed members, friends and supporters to its Annual Banquet and Auction at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 153 in Tillsonburg, Ontario. Chairman and host Pat Hanna guided the evening and introduced the 2026 Board of Directors, followed by remarks from Ernie Hardeman, MPP, and CHAA President Walther Irie.

Guests enjoyed a buffet dinner, a slideshow and a lively silent and live auction featuring aviation themed items and generous community donations. Membership Awards were also presented during the evening.

A highlight of the night was the presentation by Special Guest Speaker Karl Kjarsgaard, a respected voice in Canadian aviation heritage. Karl shared updates from his work with the Bomber Command Museum of Canada, including the long running effort to recover and rebuild a rare RCAF Halifax bomber. He also spoke about the shared mission that connects CHAA with the museum, outlining progress on the Harvard restoration project and the detailed work involved in preparing the correct engine. Karl closed with an update on Halifax Rescue and their recovery efforts, noting the importance of working together to preserve the history of RCAF training and operations for future generations.

The evening closed on a warm and appreciative note. A sincere thank you goes to CHAA, its dedicated volunteers and everyone who contributed to such a memorable event.

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