The Canadian Guards Regimental Association
Dear Fellow Guardsmen	Winter 2011

FIRST WORDS Another Winter is upon us. My wish for all my Fellow Guardsmen is that you have a warm, happy and healthy Holiday Season with family and friends. We send greetings to all those who are coping with illness or bereavement - may you come through your troubles to a calmer time. For all, we hope that 2012 holds good things for you and your families throughout the whole year. "God bless us, every one!" IN MEMORIAM We send our condolences to the families, friends and comrades of the following members of the Regimental Family whose passing has occurred since June of this year. Wilfred Emile Brosseau, Dennis Ivan Buchanan, Aurore Giason Cullen (widow of Kevin Cullen), Andrew Maxwell, Craig Mills, James William Sargent, Roger Scully, John Robert Shaw (Piper 2nd Bn), John Floyd Tidd, Byron Burton Victor "Vic" Tweedy, Ruth Walker(wife of William Terrance Michael). For those departed whom we here remember, May they rest in peace and live on in our hearts. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - PETAWAWA 30 JULY, 2011 The 2011 AGM was held in Petawawa in conjunction with the " Guards Fest" Reunion, 29-31 July. It was extremely well attended, especially as it was held at 1000 hrs on a Saturday, with over 60 members sharing the room with 12 members of the Executive and Board of Directors. President Ian Douglas presided and the meeting proceeded apace, ending about 1100. It was my privilege to read aloud The Roll of Honour ,containing 40 names, at both the AGM and at the ceremony at the Guards’ Memorial on Sunday morning. Details of the various reports presented at the AGM will be scattered throughout this newsletter, with the President’s report as "LAST WORDS". A LETTER RECEIVED The following letter was received by several members of the Regiment, but the intent of the author was that it be shared with the entire Regimental Family. The entire letter may be found on the Regimental website. I have taken the liberty of including just three excerpts in this Newsletter.   From Byron "Vic" Tweedy, 9 October, 2011. Some of you who receive this letter may not have heard from me or of me in decades. In a few instances we may even have parted on less than friendly terms and you may be most surprised that your names were included in the list of those I directed my executors to notify of my death. However, every addressee was important to me at some stage of my life and I want you to know that you were in my thoughts even as I was making arrangements for a smooth exit from this life to whatever comes next. With respect to my 33-year military career, I felt a truly mystical bond with my old Corps , the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps, The Regiment of Canadian Guards and The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada with whose 1st Battalions I served for four years in Germany. Their physical destruction in the late 1960s is something for which I can never forgive either the then Minister of National Defence nor the Government of the day. However, the spirit of my Corps and Regiments will live on until the last of their members die! In closing, I sincerely wish you all the best in the way of health and happiness for whatever years may still remain to you. Hoping to meet you in the next life, I remain, Sincerely yours, Byron/ "Vic" NATIONAL MILITARY CEMETERY There have been a number of queries concerning interments in the National Military Cemetery located in Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa.The details concerning a military presence at such interments can be found in the DND brochure, " The National Military Cemetery", which can be obtained by writing to Director Casualty Support and Administration 6, (DCSA 6), NDHQ, 101 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa ON, K1A 0K2; or visit the website, www.forces.gc.ca/centre. Local Guardsmen make every effort to attend local Regimental funerals and interments if the details are known. A special "thank you" to all our correspondents, especially those who take on the difficult task of advising us of deaths in the Regimental Family. Given that the Regiment was founded nearly 60 years ago, we are all are feeling the weight of time passing. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - PETAWAWA - 30 JULY 2011 The 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Canadian Guards Regimental Association gathered in the Petawawa Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess at an early 1000 hrs on Saturday - over 40 members were present. After the Roll of Honour was read, Piper Alex Legere, The Black Watch ( The Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada, played the lament. The President welcomed the members present and noted the sad passing of all of those named in the Roll of Honour. He thanked Piper Legere and asked that a note of thanks be sent to Major Mike Plaunt, CO of the Ceremonial Guard, for making Piper Legere available to us for the weekend. President Douglas then turned the microphone over to Ambrose Dwyer, President of the Petawawa and Pembroke Branch. Ambrose welcomed us all to "Guards Fest" and reminded us all that the purpose of the Reunion was to have a good time. Ambrose’s "reminder" was taken to heart by all! Reports Financial: The audited 2011 Financial Report showed the finances of the Association to be in reasonable shape. As of 31 August, 2011, the assets are: cash in bank - $ 6,554, BMO GIC investments of $ 15,910 and Canadian Forces Central Fund (CFCF) interest account of $10,958, for a total of $33,4222. In 2011, expenses were approximately $1,600 more than revenues, primarily attributable to the $1,000 grant to the 2011 Petawawa Reunion and a $500 grant to the newly-formed Brighton Cadet Corps 100 (1 Can Para). The Museum Account held by CFB Petawawa is no longer recorded by the Association. Dave DeClerq was appointed auditor for 2012.  Al Johnston, Secretary-Treasurer. Membership: The Association has 624 members in good standing. In 2011, 7 members bought life memberships. JAS Haley. The President reminded the meeting that surviving spouses of members in good standing are made ‘paid-up’ lifetime members with full voting privileges. Guards Help: Percy Price reported that he continues to deal with a number of cases with reasonable success. He announced that Peter Ambroziak, recently retired Legion Dominion Command Service Officer, has volunteered to assist him in the Guards Help programme. Percy allowed that he was eternally grateful to Peter seeing as the Prices do not get computer service in their area. He concluded his report by stating that he will continue to lead the Guards Help programme as long as he is able. The President, on behalf of the Association, thanked Percy for his dedication. Museum: Museum Officer Gerry Wharton began his remarks by reminding the meeting how thankful the Association is to have Norman McBride doing such great work on its behalf in improving the Canadian Guards Collection museum displays. (A round of applause for Norman followed) He also thanked those who had contributed items of memorabilia over the past year, noting that the Canadian Guards Collection contains the largest compilation of Guards’ Regimental memorabilia in existence and hoped that it will remain in place until long after the last Guardsman has passed on. He further stated that "It is most appropriate that the AGM formally acknowledge the invaluable contribution made by HQ Petawawa to the perpetuation of the memory of The Regiment. From it’s very beginning, the base staff has assisted and encouraged the Association to maintain the Canadian Guards Collection to the high standard that it is today." He then proposed the following motion. "Be it resolved that the Canadian Guards Regimental Association at its Annual General Meeting held on 30 July 2011, with appreciation and gratitude, approve a ‘vote of thanks’ to the staff of CFB Petawawa for their generous support to The Canadian Guards Collection over the past many years. Our particular appreciation is expressed to Captain Natalie Cathcart for her work on our behalf" ( The motion was seconded by Ambrose Dwyer and carried unanimously) Gerry also provided an update on the Guards silverware. He stated that, as reported at the 2010 AGM, the Regimental silver from both the Officers’ Mess and the Sergeants’ Mess, had been sent by the RCR to the GGFG for its disposal. It is not to be sold, rather it is to be used by the GGFG or loaned to another Military institution. The Association is still in discussion with The Foot Guards as to its final destination. Communications: Website Manager: Gerry Heffernan’s report was read to the meeting: he reported that the website was running well with many hits being recorded and a good amount of material being submitted for posting. He noted that the service provider contract expires in October, 2011, and suggested it be renewed for another year. Secretary Al Johnston stated that a number of new members joined as result of the information found on the website. Guards net: JAS Haley reported that the net is working well and has 402 members on the list. Newsletter Editor John Barclay advised that since the last AGM two issues of 560 copies each had been mailed to members. In addition, the pocket guide for the 2011 Reunion had been designed, in conjunction with the staff at Katari Printing, and over 200 copies were provided to the Reunion Committee. He noted that Katari Printing has been doing work for the Association for over 10 years and asked that a "Thank you for a job well done!" be entered in the minutes. (It was so ordered.) Election of the Board of Directors: Pursuant to article 130.6 of the Association By-laws, the following were nominated for election. Each candidate agreed to let his name stand. ( Listed in alphabetical order) John Barclay, Henry Campbell - Petawawa, Ian Douglas, Terry Dexter - Atlantic, Ambrose Dwyer - Petawawa, J.A.S. Haley, Gerry Heffernan, Al Johnston, Bill MacIver, Norman McBride - Petawawa, Daniel Murphy - Atlantic, Howard Pierce, Percy Price and Gerry Wharton. The Nominees were elected by acclamation. The Executive remains unchanged. Prior to adjournment, Norman McBride rose to thank all the members who have contributed their time and effort to the Museum over the years. He encouraged members to think of the Museum when they were downsizing, and to not throw away Guards memorabilia. He said, " Remember, the Guards Collection in the Museum will be The Regiment’s legacy." He finished by suggesting that people at the Reunion take time to visit the Afghanistan memorial in the RCD Lines. Many Guardsmen and their spouses made the short walk to the site and were high in their praises for the beautiful polished black granite Maple-leaf shaped Memorial. The walk up to the monument is gray stone, as is the base and curved ramp which leads up to the point where one can read the names of all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Afghan War. PEMBROKE/PETAWAWA BRANCH Branch President, Ambrose Dwyer, thanked all members of his Branch Reunion Committee for making the Reunion a success. He gave special thanks to Junior Warrington for the wonderful job he had done as Chairman. He added, " It is only appropriate that the wives on the Committee be especially lauded for their great work behind the scenes and greeting the guests at the registration desks." He also applauded the Association Executive for its support to "Guards Fest". He reported that the Branch membership remains unchanged over the years and that its finances are in good shape. The Branch annual AGM and Dinner Dance was held on 26 November with nearly 60 members attending. In a recent communication, Ambrose sent his best wishes to the Guards Family for a Merry Christmas and all the best for 2012. It should be said that the members present were in complete agreement with his opening remarks and responded with a huge ovation. Reaction to the Reunion was very effusive and absolutely positive. The President’s "LAST WORDS" will give you an idea of the warmth displayed ay every turn.

ATLANTIC BRANCH This year we held our Reunion in PEI, hosted by Evert and Virginia Burt and their committee. Most the 160 attendees remarked that it was an overwhelming success. For many the Reunion began on Thursday evening as we enjoyed a get-together of those who had made the trek several days earlier. To name a few - the Redmonds, Deschamps, Murphys and Kennys, among others, who traveled from Ontario to take in the "Down East Reunion". From Newfoundland, the Kings, the Rideouts and ‘Poundy’ Parsons. There were many new faces this year, with some Guardsmen and spouses attending for the very first time. Friday saw most of the rest of the attendees registering for the weekend. We missed several people this year, Bernie Skehen - who recently passed away, George Randall - who had become nearly a regular and Percy Price- who was unable to attend due to a recent operation. According to Betty, Percy is now more of a handful than ever before. After the informal Meet and Greet on Friday evening, we returned to the Legion for the formal Meet and Greet and final registrations. Silent and President’s auctions were held throughout the day, with the AGM held mid-afternoon. Then it was on to the evening dinner dressed in our best "Bib and Tucker". As is the custom, the head table was piped in to the meal and what a beautiful meal it was! The roast beef was so tender that all the knives were taken away as none were needed. Upon the completion of the meal, toasts and short speeches, we adjourned to the ante-room to allow the staff to set up the dancing area. We were treated to ’down-home’ music by a band from Newfoundland - the same band that plays during he summer ferry crossings from North Sydney to The Rock. A great evening was had by all. On Sunday morning we gathered for the farewell breakfast where we bid "adieu" to all those who attended. This is always a sad time as we wait all year to come to the Reunion and, in the blink of an eye, it is over and we are away! As we said our goodbyes we offered up silent prayers for a safe trip home and that everyone will be well enough to attend next year. The 2012 Atlantic Reunion will be held in Bathurst, New Brunswick, hosted by Dan and Wilma Murphy. In 2013, marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of The Regiment, the reunion will be held in Saint John’s, Newfoundland, hosted by Jim and Margaret King. I am sure that Jim and his committee will have something interesting for us to enjoy. If you have never been ‘Down East’ to a reunion, now is the time to plan on coming to one. I look forward to seeing you in Bathurst next year. Terry Dexter BAND REPORT Louis Meijers was in the Canadian Army for nine and-a-half years. He joined the Guards Band in 1954 at Den Haag, Holland. In January, 1955, he was sent to Camp Borden. Louis remembers the trips from Borden to Guelph, early on Sunday mornings, to play in the symphony orchestra along with Ted Cote, Bob Emerson, Freddy Leadston and Ed Barlow, all "Guelph Blokes". Living in Gagetown for a few weeks was also a memorable experience - "we had to live in a leaking tent with a toilet hole in the ground and a pole to sit on." In addition the showers were cold, but they did get three meals a day. He shared the tent with Yogi Russell and Yogi’s dummy, which he had taken along so he could practice. Louis remembers one morning, during rehearsal, " We were working on ‘Scheherazade’, a four-part suite. Captain Gayfer wanted us to try one part in ‘march’ time - the sound we produced was unbelievable!" After six years with the Guards Band, Louis went on to play with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, after which he joined the RCAF Transport Command Band until its demise in 1964. In June of that year he headed back to Holland where he joined the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and later the Utrecht Symphony, where he gave bassoon lessons and conducted amateur bands. When he finished his musical career he went to work in an office and is now retired to a pension and "enjoying life very much." Bob Bertuzzi WREATHS ACROSS CANADA Gerry Wharton is one of the founding members of the above not-for-profit organization, which is composed mainly of Veteran volunteers. Its purpose is to place a real balsam wreath on every military grave on the first Sunday in December, and each year afterwards, to honour of those buried there. The first of such ceremonies took place at the National Military Cemetery in Beechwood Cemetery, Ottawa, where wreaths were placed on the 3,000 Military graves located there. The threefold mission is to:   - Remember the contributions of our fallen Military personnel,   - Honour those who served in the Canadian Forces, and   - Teach Canadians, particularly our youth, of the sacrifices of our Veterans. The Organization is patterned on "Wreaths Across America" which started in 1992, at Arlington Cemetery in Washington. 100,000 wreaths are placed in over 600 locations in the United States. Gerry Wharton explained that the ultimate goal is that the tribute eventually will be extended across Canada. For information go to www.wreathsacrosscanada.ca . 31 July, 2011, members of the Regimental Family gather at the Guards Memorial before departing for home.   ( Original Photo - Chris Beattie ) This one by Buck Buchanan WAR AMPS SPECIAL The Telephone Number for "Canadian Army Newsreels" (via CHAMP) is 1-800-267-4023. PRESIDENT’S COMMENT S - AUGUST 2011 I have just returned from an absolutely first class Family weekend in Petawawa. The Pembroke/Petawawa Branch is to be congratulated for taking us all back over the years with the theme; "Memories of Germany in Fort York; 2nd Battalion 57-59, 1st Battalion 59-62." From the bratwurst at the ’Meet and Greet, the Black Forest dancing and entertainment group on Saturday afternoon, to the delicious roast beef dinner (with all the Regimental accoutrements) Saturday night, it was perfect. After dinner, a German orchestra played everything from Oom-pa-pa to the Beetles! We were absolutely impressed! On Sunday, at about 11 am, we all joined together for a short but dignified Memorial Service at the site of the Guards’ plaque, just under the hill where the old ‘barn’ Officers’ Mess, (latterly the Band rooms) used to stand. It was a relaxed yet solemn service as the most recent Roll of Honour was read followed by Piper Legere playing the lament. It was the absolute warmth of everyone as we met, shook hands or hugged, that impressed the most. In addressing about 240 members, spouses and children at dinner, I rather emotionally made the point that the Regimental Family, while ageing and listening to a longer SOS list every year, was still positively enjoying life. "Well done all!" to Ambrose and his Committee led by Junior and Karen Warrington, Jean and Henry Campbell and the large crew of members who made the Reunion so enjoyable. I’m sure that wherever they are, JJT, Silver Lee, RWB, Strome, Roger, Stu Graham, Ron Cheriton and JJ Levesque and many, many others across the great divide, were watching - and approving. LAST WORDS The Regimental Family continues to manifest all that is good about soldiers and soldiering, and shares their triumphs and sorrows across this great land. We are all carrying on a great, if brief, tradition of excellence so aptly expressed by the late Major "Don" Brochu, the 1st Adjutant of the Guards depot. " In 1867 the Fathers of this country had a great dream - a great country, from sea to sea. All Guardsmen must adopt this dream - the dream of a great Regiment, from sea to sea." Ian Douglas, President We can all take pride that we were part of making that dream a reality. A Regiment Worthy of Its Hire A Mari Usque ad Mare