It was an act of complete selflessness.

What started off as an all out flurry of bids at a charity silent auction involving over a dozen potential buyers was whittled down to just two men -- one civilian and one Canadian Armed Forces member -- locked in a heated bidding war for a Sidney Crosby jersey at the Edmonton Petroleum Golf Club last week.

The civilian, Greg, was at the very front of the room, which was packed with over 200 people. In the back was Dennis, a local soldier who had made a promise to his son to buy him the jersey belonging to his favourite player.

The bid was nearing $950 when someone from the crowd leaned over and informed Greg he was bidding against a non-uniformed soldier.

"Greg immediately stood up and motioned for the man at the back of the room to come up, and we didn't know if they were making a deal or what," said tournament organizer Don Clarke, who was sitting right next to Greg at the time.

Greg then announced that he would place a bid of $975 dollars to purchase the jersey, and in turn as show of appreciation, hand the prize over to Dennis to give to his son.

"When it dawned on everybody what had happened, there as an explosive applause and it was just a joyful feeling -- there wasn't a dry eye in the building," said Clarke. "It wasn't a planned thing, it was just something that evolved as it went on and was certainly a nice gesture."

The golf tournament and auction was a fundraiser for the Military Family Resource Centre and the annual Wounded Warriors Weekend, which will take place this year on Aug. 1 to Aug. 5 in Slave Lake, AB.

The tournament raised $36,000, with funds being split between the two programs.

The Wounded Warriors Weekend was founded in Nipawin, Sask., in 2012, inviting military members and first responders out for a weekend of fishing, golf and other activities.

For soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the weekend getaway serves as a way to socialize and mingle with others who have gone through similar experiences, says Clarke.

"It's beneficial for them to feel and experience that they're not alone in the world, so to speak," said Clarke. "This weekend doesn't cure anything, it just helps to get rid of the feeling that there's something wrong with them."

Over 170 soldiers and first responders from the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada are expected to take part in this year's event. Clarke hopes to expand the event and hold the weekend getaway next year in B.C.

For more information visit woundedwarriorsweekend.org

trevor.robb@sunmedia.ca

@SunTrevorRobb