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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September 20 in History

On this date in 1967, 56 Field Engineer Squadron completed the restoration of the Quidi Vidi Battery as a Centennial project.

News

Chilliwack Parks & Rec Recognized for Op GRANITE II Support

On 18 September, Op GRANITE II Lead, Dave Shavalier met with officials at Chilliwack City Hall to discuss the city's support for Remembrance Day ceremonies at All Sappers Memorial Park this past July. He was blown away by the support offered and remarked that Op GRANITE II was the main catalyst for much of the City's renewed awareness of its military connection. As well, the Mayor complimented the Op GRANITE II Rededication Ceremony and agreed the Legion plays a significant…

33 CER Association Newsletter - September 2026

As the training year starts at the unit we here at the 33CER Association are ramping up our calendar of events and looking to bring back our esprit de corps. We are in the initial phases of working on a refresh on our communication strategy to bring the association back from the Stone Age of social media.  Stay tuned for our new look! In the meantime we do have two events coming up in the near future.  The Ottawa bicentennial celebration happening on Saturday…

Class B Employment Opportunity

Version française ci-dessous Members of the CME, The Canadian Military Engineers Branch is seeking applicants for the Branch Adjutant position, which has been advertised as a 3-year Class B opportunity open to both Option 1 and Option 2 annuitants. The Branch Adjutant serves as the primary communications focal point for the CME, ensuring information is communicated effectively across the Branch while supporting the Branch Advisor and Colonel Commandant, serving as Secretary…

Heritage Moments

RCAF Construction and Maintenance Units

                                                          ‘Oh, we left Tuft’s Cove in Dartmouth to go to Labrador.

                               …

British Commonwealth Air Training Plan

Before the outbreak of the Second World War, the British Government had determined that it needed facilities outside the United Kingdom for the training of large numbers of aircrew for the Royal Air Force. Canada, with its large land areas and clear weather conditions was considered to be an ideal location. With the outbreak of war in September 1939, the decision was made among the Allies to make Canada the location for much of the British Commonwealth aircrew training…

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…

Retirements

MCpl Alastaire Jon "AJ" McDonald

After more than 10 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, MCpl A.J. McDonald, (00339) will retire on 7 October 2026. A Departure with Dignity (DWD) will be held on 3 September 26 at 13:00 tentatively at the Unarmed Combat Room, Base Gym, CFB Edmonton. Members wishing to be added to the fight roaster are encouraged to contact the DWD OPI Capt K.S.C. Ho at: Kyle.Ho@forces.gc.ca . Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to the same person.

CHIMO!

MCpl Alastaire Jon McDonald (A.K.A. AJ) was born in Ottawa, Ontario. Raised under the strong influence of his father and grandfather who both proud CAF members, he developed an early appreciation for service, discipline, and commitment. Motivated by a…

WO R.C. “Rollie” Winsor, CD

After more than 29 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, WO R.C. Winsor, CD, (00307) will retire on 2 October 2026. 

Departure with Dignity (DWD) 

A DwD reception will be held on 23 October at 14:00. at the “The Bunker” (Pizza Delight), in Oromocto, NB. If attending, please RSVP to WO W.G. Sutherland at: William.Sutherland@forces.gc.ca. Anecdotes and well-wishes may also be sent to the same address.

CHIMO!

Warrant Officer “Rollie” Winsor joined the CAF in December 1996 as an Infantryman in the 2ND Battalion of The Royal Newfoundland Regiment (RNR…

Capt L.K. "Karl" Fugère, CD

After more than 34 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Capt L.K. Fugère, CD, will retire on 23 September 2026. 

Departure with Dignity (DWD) 

A DWD reception will be held on 18 September at 1400 at the “Tir Nan Og”, in Kingston, ON. Those interested in attending may contact Capt A.E. Lebrun at: Andrew.Lebrun@forces.gc.ca. Those wishing to convey their congratulations, best wishes, or anecdotes are also invited to forward them to the same point of contact.

CHIMO!

Born in Quebec City, Quebec, on 1 February 1973, Karl Fugère joined the 10th Field Engineer Squadron in September 1992 and…

Last Posts

Sgt Meleme Joseph Nelson "Mel" McGraw, CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Sergeant Meleme Joseph Nelson McGraw, CD (Ret’d) of Miramichi, NB, at Percy’s Place, Miramichi, on 11 September 2026, at the age of 92. Meleme started his Regular Force military career as a Sapper but remustered to the Physical Training Instructor occupation, where he served most of his career.

Born in Port Elgin, NB, Meleme served the Canadian Armed Forces for over 30 years. He joined the Militia with the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps in 1949 but transferred to the  Royal Canadian Engineers of the Regular Force five years later.

After his training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering at Camp Chilliwack, BC, Meleme re-mustered to the Physical Training Instructor trade. He later served in the following locations: Gagetown, NB; Saint-Jean, QC; Gagetown, NB; Halifax, NS; St. Margarets, NB; and Chatham, NB. 

Meleme retired from the Canadian Forces in 1984 and then worked at the New Brunswick Corrections Centre in Miramichi for 12 years, teaching in programs for Correctional Officers, Youth Care Workers, and Industrial and Retail Security Officers.  He retired in 1996.

Meleme was a founding member of the Miramichi Chapter of the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association.

By request, there will be no visitation.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Michael’s Basilica, Miramichi, NB, on Thursday, 17 September 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Saint Michael’s Cemetery.
As expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.
 

Cpl Ralph Edward Donaldson, CD (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Ralph Edward Donaldson, CD (Ret'd) at his home in Lantz, NS, on 10 September 2026, at 92.

Born in Halifax, NS,  Ralph joined the Royal Canadian Air Force at 19 and served for 27 years with the RCAF and the Canadian Military Engineers. Over the years, Ralph was stationed at; Winnipeg MB, Grostenquin (France), Ottawa ON, Greenwood NS, Chibougamu PQ, Red Deer AB, and then back to Ottawa. Ralph also deployed on a six-month tour with the United Nations peacekeepers in Ismailia, Egypt. 

After his uniformed service, Ralph joined the Public Service and continued his engineering work at the National Defence Medical Centre in Ottawa. After a second retirement, Ralph returned to his family roots in Nova Scotia. 

Helping and volunteering were important to Ralph. He was a Mason and a Philae Shriner as a member of Elmsdale Masonic Temple (C.W. Saunders Lodge 125) and was also a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. Some of the organizations he worked with were: Scouts Canada, the Anglican Church, Habitat for Humanity and the Royal Canadian Legion. 

Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 7:00 to 9:00 pm on Monday, 14 September 2026, at Ettinger Funeral Home {2812 Highway 2, Shubenacadie, NS} from where a funeral service will be held 2:00 pm ATL (1 pm EST) on Tuesday, 15 September 2026.

No flowers, please. Memorial donations can be made to the Colchester East-Hants Hospice Society {89 Queen St, Truro, NS B2N 2B2)} Habitat for Humanity, The Victorian Order of Nurses, The Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.  
A livestream of the funeral service can be viewed HERE. 

Sgt Erven Louie Cestnick, CD (Ret'd)

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Sergeant Erven Louie Cestnick, CD (Ret’d), on 7 September 2026 at the age of 82. 

Born in New Waterford, NS, Erven joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in 1961 and trained in electronics before remustering to Firefighter. His first posting was Chatham, NB, followed by RCAF Station Marville, France. From there, he served at Bagotville, QC; Greenwood, NS; Goose Bay, NL; and Moose Jaw, SK.  When Moose Jaw closed, Erven began a new phase of his firefighting career when he joined the Public Service Fire Service at CFS Dana, SK.

At CFS Dana, Erven served as the Station Fire Chief, Fire Inspector, and Safety Officer. When the radar stations closed, he transferred to CFB Cornwallis, NS. When CFB Cornwallis closed in 1994, he retired with 10 years of Public Service. 

During his service in Goose Bay, Erven received a Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation, and he received a Base Commander's Commendation while at CFB Cornwallis.

Funeral arrangements will be advised when known. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home