Canadian Military Engineers Association

The CMEA is a dynamic association open to all members of the Canadian Military Engineer family. Since its formation in 2000, it has grown to over 2500 members with more than 21 Chapters and six affiliated Reserve units spread across the country.
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February 24 in History

On this date in 1943, the 1st Battalion, RCE ice hockey team was runner-up for the Canadian Army championship for the second time.

News

Royal Canadian Legion Celebrates 100 Years of Service

The Royal Canadian Legion will mark its 100th anniversary on 17 July 2026. On that date, many of the Canadian Military Engineers family will be gathered in Chilliwack, BC, for Operation GRANITE II, a major homecoming and reunion commemorating the 80th anniversary of the All Sappers Memorial. Operation GRANITE II—taking place 17 - 19 July 2026,  will feature the rededication of the All Sappers Cenotaph to include those lost in more recent conflicts, ensuring their names…

39 CER Association February 2026 Newsletter

PRESIDENT’S REPORT Welcome to 2026. As you can read in this newsletter, a fair amount of activities took place from Soldiers' appreciation dinners, to a cool dunk in the mighty Columbia River, a Robbie Burns dinner to a retirement of Cpl Matern, whose steadfast support of countless pay sheets, claims that had to be sorted and DAGs for many members going overseas. Well done and thank you for your service. And then there is recognition of the Relentless Warrior program in…

RPOU(W) Brings Comfort and Connection with Therapy Dogs

In recognition of Bell Let’s Talk Day, Real Property Operations Unit (West) (RPOU(W)) welcomed some very special guests to its HQ in Edmonton. The therapy dogs from St. John Ambulance, arranged through the PSP partnership program. The visit was coordinated by RPOU(W) Adj, Capt Rebecka Westling, as part of RPOU(W)’s ongoing commitment to mental health awareness and support. Bell Let’s Talk Day is an annual national initiative promoting access to mental health resources. For…

Heritage Moments

Expo 67 – ‘Mission Impossible’ Was Possible

Canada was an eleventh-hour stand-in for the 1967 World's Fair, and Montreal had to pull off a miracle to get it ready on time. The fair had initially been awarded to Moscow in 1960 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Russian Revolution, but the Soviet Union backed out of its obligation. On 13 November 1962, Canada re-submitted its bid and won the opportunity to host in 1967. Organizers now had only four and a half years to prepare - rather than the intended seven years. Yet…

Canadian Tunnellers Tackle Gibraltar

The Rock of Gibraltar is the key to the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. Thrusting 1300 feet above the Spanish plain on the Bay of Algeciras, the Rock of Gibraltar has been a great British fortress and an important defensive outpost since its acquisition in 1704. Through the years the Royal Engineers had excavated tunnels and galleries in the rock for defensive purposes.

During World War II Gibraltar was a major naval and air…

Engineers Restore the Northern Transportation Link

The Department of National Defence assumed the responsibility for the Canadian portion of the Second World War-era Alaska Highway from the United States in April 1946. Among these new responsibilities was 1221 miles of the former Alaska Highway, 200 miles of access roads to seven landing fields, and 120 miles of the Canadian portion of the summer road to the port of Haines, Alaska. A new unit -…

Retirements

MWO/Adjum S.J. Thorburn, CD

After more than 22 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, MWO S.J. Thorburn, CD, will retire on 12 February 2026. A Depart with Dignity function will be held on 13 February 2026 commencing at 1300 at the Bunker in Oromocto. If attending, please RSVP to Capt Rodney Tatchell: Rodney.Tatchell@forces.gc.ca. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to the same person. 

In 2003, Shawn Thorburn enlisted as an infanteer in the Canadian Armed Forces, completing basic training in Saint Jean, Quebec, and Battle school in Wainwright, Alberta. He was then posted to 3 Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, (PPCLI) Edmonton Alberta. During his time at 3 PPCLI, he completed his parachutist course in…

Maj Justin E.P. Behiels, MSM, CD

Major Justin E.P. Behiels was born in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, in 1977, and raised in Ottawa, Ontario. He began his military career in 1995 when he enlisted with 3 Field Engineer Squadron as a reservist while completing a Bachelor of Arts in Geography at the University of Ottawa. During this time, he was also an active member of the Canadian Ski Patrol System.

In 2002, Major Behiels was commissioned under the Direct Entry Officer Program (DEO) initially as a pilot. Upon completing Engineer Phase IV in Gagetown, New Brunswick, he was posted to 2 Combat Engineer Regiment (2 CER) in Petawawa, Ontario, where he commanded 2 Troop, 23 Field Squadron. He deployed to Afghanistan on Operation ATHENA in 2006 and participated in NATO Operation MEDUSA, for which he was awarded the Sacrifice Medal after being wounded in combat…

Capt B. Blanchard, CD

After more than 30 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Capt B. Blanchard, CD, will retire on 12 January 2026. A DwD reception will be held on 16 January at 1230 at the “Out of Bounds” Restaurant, Cattail Crossing Golf Club, in Sturgeon County, AB. If attending, please RSVP to Capt K.S.C. Ho at: Kyle.Ho@forces.gc.ca. Anecdotes and well-wishes may also be sent to the same address

Captain “Bruce” Blanchard was born in Bathurst, New-Brunswick (N-B), in 1969. He completed high school in 1988 and went on to  graduate from Holland College in Charlottetown,…

Last Posts

MWO Robert “Bob” Dick, CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Master Warrant Officer Robert “Bob” Dick, CD (Ret’d) In Pembroke ON, at age 87 on 14 February 2026.

Bob was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. He immigrated to Canada at the age of eight with his mother and younger brother to join his father who had come a year earlier for work. Bob was raised in Kingston ON, and joined the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Engineers as a Field Engineer with the Apprentice Training Program 6th Intake (1952).

During his 28-year military career, Bob served in Chilliwack BC, Petawawa ON, Lahr, Germany; and on exchange with the Royal School of Military Engineering in  Chattenden, England. Following his retirement, Bob pursued a second career with the Ministry of Natural Resources until 2016.

Bob was a proud and devoted member of the Masonic Lodge where he was recognized as Very Worshipful Brother Robert Dick, Past Grand Steward. He was a 50-year service award recipient, a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, and an active Shriner. 

Friends and family are invited to gather at the Zohr Family Funeral Home in Renfrew, where visitation will be held on 2 March 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service in the Zohr Family Chapel at 12:00 noon. A reception will follow at the funeral home.
Donations to the Shriners Children’s Burn Unit in memory of Bob would be appreciated. Tributes, condolences, and donations can be made online to the funeral home.
 

Rev Robert Paul “Bob” Hamlin

We regret to advise of the death of Reverend Robert Paul “Bob” Hamlin at St Boniface Hospital, MB on 30 January 2026 at the age of 94.

Bob spent his early years in Benson SK.  At the age of 17, he joined the Royal Canadian Engineers and spent eight years in various Canadian locations as a Draftsman. Those years honed his interest in planning, building and problem-solving. 

Bob retired from the Canadian Forces in 1956, and then enrolled in the Faculty of Arts at United College, where he earned a BA and later a Masters of Theology. After his ordination in 1963, Bob was placed in Red Lake ON, with subsequent callings to United Churches in Manitoba at Roblin and Winnipeg. He also served for several years in administration with Winnipeg Presbytery.  Bob retired in 1995.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on 19 February 2026, at Immanuel United Church in Winnipeg. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home. Please consider a memorial donation to Immanuel United Church or Siloam Mission.

Cpl Edward Tetu (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Corporal Edward Tetu (Ret’d) of Stratton ON, at his residence on 20 January 2026 at age 82.

Born in Fort Frances ON, Ed enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Firefighter after completing his schooling, and subsequently served at bases in Manitoba, Quebec and in North Bay ON. After retirement from the Canadian Forces he took up civilian employment in the Sudbury area.

Ed moved to Stratton ON in the 1970s, where he settled and worked as a general contractor until his second retirement. Ed worked on the construction of many homes in the district, as well as larger projects, including water treatment plants and the Interpretive Centre on the Mounds at Rainy River First Nation.

A private graveside service will take place in Stratton Cemetery. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.