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The Canadian Guards Regimental Association |
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Dear Fellow Guardsmen |
Summer 2011 |
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The Canadian Guards Regimental Association |
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Dear Fellow Guardsmen |
Summer 2011 |
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FIRST WORDS Another Winter has finally ended and our thoughts have gone right past April showers, flowers in May and girls in short skirts - well maybe not the latter - and we can turn our thoughts to the big event in Petawawa in July. THE PETAWAWA BRANCH REUNION - "GUARDS FEST" 29-31 JULY, 2011 All members of the Regimental Family are encouraged to attend, whether as part of Summer holidays or just a one-time weekend. Details of timings, accommodation and costs are available on the following pages. Please support the Petawawa Branch whose members have worked on this Reunion for over a year. It is invigorating to see so many of you involved in volunteer work, both with The Regimental Family and other organizations. Our ethic of excellence in all we do is readily apparent to those with whom we work, wherever we volunteer, ensuring that the spirit of The Regiment lives on&ldots;. A Mari Usque ad Mare! IN MEMORIAM On your behalf we send our condolences and sympathy to the family, friends and comrades of those of The Regimental Family who have passed away since the last newsletter. Joseph Denis Arsenault, Joe Bray, R. J. ‘Jim’ Burns, Charles "Chuck" Carlson, Roy Chapman, Christel Charlton (wife of Bob Charlton), Ross ‘Keith’ Collins, Peter G. Downe, A. F. ‘Andy’ Dunlop, Ed Fairweather, Lawrence Andrew Guiboche, Henry A. Hadfield, William Robert Hall, Donald W. Handley, Ross Hunter, Lambert Joseph ‘Bert’ Jesso, Enid Mary King (wife of Wayne King), Paul Edward Labella, Fred MacLean, John Harold Mason, Phil Nixon, Bob Noble, Evelyn O’Donnell ( widow of Russ O’Donnell), Anthony Gerard ‘Tony’ O’Quinn, Mary Pelisek ( wife of Joe Pelisek), Giles Perodeau, Robert "Bob" Bertram Reid, Clarence Somerton, James Harold Stutt, Courtenay Gerard ‘Sonny’ Terrio, Fred Ronald Wagner, Raymond Stephen Young. "There is no beauty like a friend - when the friend departs, the beauty remains." PETAWAWA REUNION Fellow Guardsmen On behalf of the Petawawa Branch of the Canadian Guards Regimental Association, I wish you all a very happy and safe summer. I hope that a number of you will be visiting us in July at the Reunion in Base Petawawa. Junior Warrington and his committee have done a good job over the winter and, on your behalf, I thank all members of the Committee for their hard work and the Association Executive for their cooperation and advice. So come on up the valley and have a great time! Ambrose Dwyer, President, Petawawa Branch. REUNION 2011 - "GUARDS FEST" DATE: FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, 29/30/31 JULY, 2011 ALL EVENTS WILL TAKE PLACE AT J-106, WARRANT OFFICERS’ AND SERGEANTS’ MESS CFB PETAWAWA -UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED REGISTRATION FEE IS $60.00 PER PERSON (This fee does not cover accommodation) Registration form is on the back page. PROGRAM FRIDAY: 1700 - MEET & GREET, REGISTRATION BRAT ON A BUN - CASH BAR
SATURDAY: 1000 - ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 1300 - REGISTRATION - ENTERTAINMENT AND FOOD DURING THE AFTERNOON. 1800 - COCKTAILS 1900 - DINNER ( WITH TAPED MUSIC) 2030 - DANCING SUNDAY: 0830 - BREAKFAST 1000 - GATHERING AT THE REGIMENTAL MEMORIAL CAIRN 1100 - FAREWELLS (This program may be subject to change: an updated "events" pocket card will provided as part of Registration package ) REUNION ACCOMMODATIONS AREA MOTELS Time Travellers Motel: McGregor’s Hill - 613-732-1949. Rates $60-$70. Quality Inn: 3119 B Petawawa Blvd, 1-866-477-1130 (free) or 613-687-2855
Colonial Fireside Inn: 1359 Pembroke St.W. 1-888-468-8882 (free)
Petawawa River Inn & Suites: 3520 Petawawa Blvd. 1-800-573-9775 (free)
Comfort Inn: 1359 Pembroke Street West. 613-735-1057 Best Western Pembroke Inn: 1 International Drive. 613-735-0131 Travelodge Pembroke: 900 Pembroke Street East: 613-735-6868 BASE ACCOMMODATION - BOOKING STARTS 1 JULY. Tel; 613-687-5511 ext 5153/ e-mail JOLICOEUR.CP@FORCES.GC.CA Building L-101 - suite w/shared bathroom $33.00/own bath $40.00 Cupid’s Nest: 4 queen beds, 5 single beds. Full kitchen $ 240.00 per night. Russian House: 3 Queen beds, 2 single beds & full kitchen. $ 270.00 per night. Other Black Bear Campground: Phone 613-687-7268. Serviced and un-serviced lots. No rates available at this time. YOU MUST MAKE YOUR OWN BOOKING FOR ACCOMMODATIONS! THE REGISTRATION FORM IS FOR REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT ONLY. WE URGE YOU TO MAKE YOUR OFF BASE RESERVATIONS ASAP. YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL 1 JULY FOR ON-BASE TO OPEN. CORRESPONDENTS Over the years we have received hundreds of pieces of correspondence. In some cases the volume has been such we could only say a blanket "thank you"; in other cases it was possible to reply to, and name each one. Happily, for this issue, we have received items from some 37 individuals and as usual, for space reasons, it is not possible to respond to all of you - but it is possible to reply to some and name the others. Here we go! CORRESPONDENTS Peter Ambroziak, Ross Appleton, John Bishop, Barbara Bray, Steve Brodsky, Alvin Butler, Jean Campbell, Ross Campbell, Terry Dexter, Mary George, Harry Green, Bob Harnish, John Howell (UK), John Hughes, Al Johnston, Al Klassen, Bill MacIver, J.MacKinnon, Ted Mason, Andy Maxwell, Alex McLeod, Marjorie and Sam Meckbach, Grahem Meharg, Don Miller, Johanna Douglas O’Neil, Frank Patrick, Joe Pelisek, John Selkirk, Harry Warrington and Bohdan ‘Danny’ Wasilewski. John Fisher - I have gone through the newsletters for the past 10 years and cannot find a photo of your father, Drum Major Jack Fisher. The only other source of such a picture would be the Guards Website: www.canadianguards.ca Follow the links to "albums" and you may find what you want. If anyone has any other ideas contact John at - july22@telus.net. JAS Haley - JAS is a Friend of the Canadian War Museum (FCWM) and notes that the " Friends" organization is looking for more volunteers to work at the Museum as Guides and/or Docents. For more information go to: www.friends-amis.org. R. J. Hoffman - asks if anyone has any tapes/photos/videos of the Regiment’s participation in the Seattle Worlds’ Fair? Anyone? e-mail - Guardsman70@hotmail.com. Snail mail - R. J. Hoffman, 1059 Glidden Ave. Windsor ON, N8S 2N9. Jack Jenkins - advises that after 36 years in the same house, he and Kirsten have moved to the following address - JOENSUUVEJ 10, 2.th 4000 Roskilde, Denmark. Don’t worry about getting the news Jack, and best wishes to you and Kirsten in your new home. John Bishop - Congratulations on being elected President of the Korean Veterans’ Association Harry Pinchin - was a member of the Canadian Guards band which was shipped off to Korea in 1954, serving with the 4th Battalion, commanded by LCol Val Leduc. Harry would like to know exactly where the Regiment was geographically located in Korea, with hill numbers if possible. He states that they were just a short walk from the DMZ. If anyone can give Harry an exact location, it will be much appreciated. Harry’s e-mail is - hpinchin@shaw.ca. Ian Turnbull has sent us the following item. Pipe Major Archie Cairns, MMM, CD, former Pipe Major of the 2nd Battalion Pipe Band in the Regiment of Canadian Guards, has recently been named to the Mayor’s of London "New Years Honours List". Pipe Major Cairns enrolled in the Regular Force in 1954 and formed, trained and led the award-winning 2nd Battalion’s Pipes and Drums for the next ten years. He is fondly remembered by all members of the Regimental Family. For more information about Archie, go to - www.melbaymusic.com/authors , and/or www.archiecairnsmusic.com. The thanks of this editor, the Board of Directors and the entire Regimental Family goes out to all our correspondents, past and present. We look forward to hearing from more of you in the future. ( deadline for the ‘Winter’ Newsletter is Friday, 25 November 2011 ) |
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UPDATES Agent Orange Ex-gratia Payments The Canadian Government recently extended the Agent Orange ex-gratia payment schedule to 30 June, 2011 and made two changes to the eligibility requirements: (a) Applicants no longer have to prove that a medical diagnosis was in progress before Feb 06, 2006, and (b) the rquirement that an eligible individual be alive on Feb 06, 2006, has been removed. These amendments will allow more primary caregivers to apply on behalf of a loved one who died before the ex-gratia payment came into place. To date a total of 3,137 applicants have received a total payout of some $62 million. This notice has earlier been published on our website and in other publications. If you have not seen this notice and think you, or a loved one may be eligible, call 1-866-522-2122 or go to www.vac-acc.gc.ca. Atomic Veterans Recognition Program - AVRP The AVRP closed down on 31 March, 2011. The statistical report provided by Major Marguerite Born, the Director of the program, indicates the breadth and depth of this program. The essence of the report is as follows. 3,556 enquiries were received - from all across Canada. 1916 applications were received - 1,248 were rejected 277 applications were denied after reviews 391 ex-gratia payment cheques were issued In recognition of her efforts for over two decades, Chris Beattie will receive a certificate of "Life Member" in the Association and Major Marguerite Born will receive a Certificate of Appreciation. Both of these awards will be presented to the recipients at the dinner on Saturday, July 30, at the Reunion in Petawawa. BAND REPORT " Harry Pinchin was a charter member of the Canadian Guards Band, formed from the 1st Canadian Infantry Battaion Band. The Band was sent to Korea in 1954 and served with the 4th Battalion. While with the Guards Band he was appointed Master of Ceremonies by then Band Master Jim Gayfer and, along with Band Sergeant Arthur Very, was chosen to ‘model’ the new Canadian Guards full dress uniforms before the full band and any of the battalions were outfitted. After leaving the Army, Harry was extremely busy as a performer, arranger and conductor, highlighted by a stint with the famous Tommy Banks Orchestra in Edmonton. If you "google" his name you’ll find the many, many ways he has served as a musical ambassador for Canada. Like many of us, Harry is concerned about what has happened to the Band Branch of the Canadian Forces. The program has been gutted to the point where there are just a few active bands still playing. Harry is now retired and lives with his wife of 54 years in Sherwood Park, Alberta, where they spend quite a lot of time with their two great-grandchildren." Bob Bertuzzi, Band Correspondent ATLANTIC BRANCH All is well in the Atlantic Branch with preparations for the October 15 and 16 Reunion well on track. 50 - 60 people have registered to date and we look forward to a strong contingent from Ontario. We appreciate their support, especially those who have become members of the Atlantic Branch. Eve Burt and Al MacDonald, this year’s Reunion sponsors, are busy lining up the agenda and activities for that weekend. Many of us here in New Brunswick have registered for the Petawawa "Guards Fest" and we are looking forward to seeing old friends whom we haven’t seen for some time. Some of us will be making a vacation trip and will spending additional time in the Ottawa/Petawawa area before and after the "Fest". Not much else to pass on except our ‘hello!’ to all the Regimental Family - we look forward to seeing you in October! Terry Dexter. Thanks Terry, as always a great report. Excerpt from the first The Canadian Guardsman - Summer 1956 AMBROSE - by Major P. A. Acland " Ambrose is an illustrious Guardsman and a member of the 2nd Battalion. He has long been dead and only his stuffed head remains. He may not be the only Guardee who is dead from the neck up, but he is the only one in this Battalion. Some years ago he roamed the Arctic or sub-Arctic as a magnificent specimen of the Musk Ox family. He had the honour of being shot by a distinguished and now senior officer in the Canadian Army and thereby became a member of the Army. After this somewhat unusual enlistment procedure, Ambrose took up his position on the wall of the Officers’ Mess at Fort Osborne Barracks in Winnipeg. There, in the company of a motley collection moose, caribou, deer and elk, he viewed dispassionately the inexplicable behaviour of the two-legged mammals who frequented the place. In 1954, the Fort Osborne Mess decided to redecorate and Ambrose, his esthetic sensibilities offended, applied for a posting. In due time he reported for duty with the 2nd Battalion. For many weeks he languished in the Sports Stores until one day the sports storeman was overheard talking to him. Worse still, the storeman was convinced that he was getting replies. It was time for a change so Ambrose was moved, thereafter to grace the Officers’ Mess with his presence. After much debate, the Arctic-American bovine ruminant attained his present unique position. He is now a trophy for perpetual competition between the Officers’ and Sergeants’ Messes at any form of sport or game. After each contest the losing mess is honored with Ambrose’s presence until, by fair means or foul, they succeed in a later competition and are forced to part with him." Due to space limitations, we are unable to show the picture of Ambrose between his keepers Maj. M.H. Marchessault and Sgt. ‘Sammy’ Sampson. Major Acland was a Company Commander in the 2nd Battalion at the time of writing. LAST WORDS 627 members and still growing - how’s that for an organization that has not had a new recruit in 41 years! At our last Executive meeting in Ottawa, (18 May), JAS Haley gave us a detailed report on our Association membership. He also produced a detailed chart titled " Recruit Register Statistics" which illustrated the work done by the Depot - 1954 t0 1968 - by producing almost 6,000 of the total of the over 7,000 members of The Regiment. The results of the Board meeting will form the agenda of the Annual General Meeting to be held during the REGIMENTAL REUNION , "GUARDS FEST", at 10 am on Saturday, 30 July. Join upwards of 200 of us there, reliving the glory days of Germany 57 to 62, telling the usual three versions of the same event, meeting old friends and reminiscing I look forward to seeing you there. Ian Douglas, President A Mari Usque Ad Mare __________________________________________________________________________________ REUNION REGISTRATION FORM ( Please print or type )
NAME(S) ___________________________________________ _______________________________________________
ADDRESS ___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
TELEPHONE _____________E-Mail _______________________
The cost of Registration is $60.00 PER PERSON. Please attach your cheque or money order for the full amount to this order form and mail ASAP to: HARRY WARRINGTON, 3 LISA CRESCENT PETAWAWA ON, K8H 2Z8 |
