Veterans Affairs Canada and the Veterans Review and Appeal Board launched an accessibility consultation on 17 November with Veterans, their family members and other Canadians. We need your feedback to learn about any accessibility barriers you or others may experience.
On 11 November, CBC Radio in Ottawa interviewed two army veterans, LCol Steve Nolan and Col Mark Gasparatto. On this Remembrance Day after the Taliban regained control this past summer, two veterans of the war in Afghanistan reflect on their time in combat.
Go to https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-100-ottawa-morning/clip/15877844… listen to the interview.
On this 100th anniversary of the poppy as a symbol of remembrance in Canada, it is fitting to recall the work of an Engineer. The story, James Melville, The man who brought the poppy to Canada, tell how Brigadier James Melville, a Royal Canadian Engineer veteran of two world wars and our first Colonel-Commandant, set up a workshop in Ottawa to employ disabled veterans. He got the manufacturing rights to the poppy symbol in the early 1920s so the lapel pins could be produced by those veterans.
An appropriate Change of Appointment Ceremony to thank BGen Steve Irwin for his service and to welcome MGen Daniel Benjamin into his new position was delayed by COVID-19. Finally, on 4 November 2021, MGen Kevin Horgan and CWO Stacy Merriam were able to make the change-over official.
In front of a small audience, the outgoing and incoming Colonel Commandants signed the appropriate certificates in the Carling Building. As a way to cap a distinguished career, BGen Irwin also received the third clasp to his CD with his wife Deanna as a witness.
The webpage Building a Career as a Construction Technician, tells the story of how Corporal Jeff Pesklevits, a Reserve Armoured Reconnaissance Crewman with the British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own) completed an occupational transfer to Construction Technician and is now is employed full-time (Class B) as a carpenter at 192 Construction Engineering Flight (CEF) in Aldergrove, British Columbia.
Almost a generation of new Sappers has not had the opportunity to view the All Sappers Memorial in Chilliwack since 1998 when the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering was re-located from Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack to CFB Gagetown. This memorial is our primary memorial and the following brief summary of its history is published during Remembrance Week 2021 as a reminder of this important part of the history and heritage of the Canadian Military Engineers.
The following was received from Veterans Affairs Canada:
Dear colleagues,
Every year, in the lead up to Remembrance Day, we mark Veterans’ Week from November 5 to 11. This week presents an opportunity for Canadians to honour those who have served our country in times of war, military conflict and peace. We recognize your organization’s commitment and support to Veterans and their families and thank you for your continued collaboration in promoting remembrance initiatives.
Report from LCol Sarah House, CD
Assistant Chief Military Engineer
We regret to advise of the deaths of the following members of the CME Family during the month of September 2021:
