Roll Up of CAF/Veteran/Invictus News - 21 Oct 2024
CAF | DND
Canadian soldier dies while off-duty in Latvia | National News | thecanadianpressnews.ca
Latvian State Police are investigating the death of a Canadian soldier in the capital city of Riga. The Canadian Armed Forces said in a statement that Capt. Aaron Wideman died while off-duty. Lt.-Gen. Stephen Kelsey, vice-chief of the defence staff, said Wideman died on Sunday. The military did not provide details about the death. He was posted within the Latvian National Armed Forces. Canada leads a NATO battle group in Latvia meant to deter and respond to threats posed by Russia.
A former special forces soldier is suing the federal government, alleging he was blacklisted by his unit and pushed out of the military after he denounced Canadian troops' alleged involvement in the killing of unarmed people in Afghanistan. The soldier is also naming one current and two former top Canadian generals who he says minimized or failed to adequately investigate Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) involvement in the alleged killings. Claude Lepage, a former member of JTF2, one of Canada's most elite and secretive military units, filed a statement of claim in Quebec Superior Court last week.
North Bay news: 22 Wing CFB participating in NATO air defense exercises in Greece | CTV News
For the last few weeks, fighter jets have been spotted soaring over Greece’s Peloponnese peninsula, part of the ‘Ramstein Flag 24’ that includes military personnel from 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base North Bay. Ramstein Flag 24 is a nearly two-week military training exercise where Canada and its allies work together to prepare for current and emerging threats around the world.
Canada new submarines: Purchase popular in national survey | CTV News
Three in four Canadians support defence spending on new submarines, according to a new survey from Nanos Research and CTV News. Conducted between Sept. 29 and Oct. 2, the survey of more than 1,000 Canadian adults asked respondents to rate their support or opposition for a recently announced purchase of 12 submarines to add to Canada's military fleet, said to cost up to an expected $120 billion. Among those surveyed, 44 per cent said they supported the decision, with another 32 per cent reporting they felt somewhat supportive. A further 10 per cent each said they were somewhat or completely opposed to the spending, and four per cent said they were unsure.
Speakers Program Seeking CAF Personnel and Veterans - Canadian Military Family Magazine (cmfmag.ca)
Several military milestones will be celebrated this year by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) during the National Veterans Week Speakers Program (NVWSP). The program runs from Nov. 5 to Nov. 11 and is part of Veterans Week and intended to highlight both serving Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and Veterans.
New Military Judges Appointed - Canadian Military Family Magazine (cmfmag.ca)
Minister of National Defence Bill Blair recently appointed two new military judges. The minister announced on Sept. 9 that Colonel Stephen Strickey and Colonel Nancy Isenor are the Canadian Armed Forces’ newest military judges.
OP-ED ON TARGET: Canadian Armed Forces: The Numbers Don't Add Up — espritdecorps
On Thursday September 26 Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Jennie Carignan appeared before a parliamentary Committee. The primary focus of the committee was the status of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) with regards to the ongoing recruiting and retention crisis which has led to a crippling shortage of personnel in the Canadian military.
Canada's air force ferries Air India flight passengers | CTV News
More than 200 Air India passengers should be on the ground in Chicago this morning after their flight was diverted to Nunavut due to a bomb threat. The airline issued an update overnight via social media, thanking the Royal Canadian Air Force for helping ferry the 211 passengers of Flight 127 from India to their final destination. Since Iqaluit was not equipped to house that many unexpected guests, Ottawa gave the green light to utilize military resources to help the waylaid travellers.
Night flying training scheduled over Cold Lake from October 15 to 25 - My Lakeland Now
Residents of Cold Lake and the surrounding Lakeland community are being advised of upcoming night flying training exercises conducted by squadrons from 4 Wing Cold Lake. The training will take place from October 15 to the 25, with crews aiming to minimize disruptions to local residents.
Navy ship sails into Toronto Harbour with hopes of new recruits | CBC News
… HMCS Harry DeWolf arrived in Toronto Harbour Thursday, sailing from Halifax after a mission in the Northwest Passage. It's now docked in the harbour near Sugar Beach all weekend and open for the public to explore for parts of Friday and Saturday. Cmdr. Jon Nicholson says the navy is trying to give civilians a glimpse of life on the sea and potentially recruit some new members.
CADETS
Council turfs plans to build synthetic field on waterfront | CompassNews
Barrie is cancelling plans to build a synthetic field on a forested section of its waterfront after a report found the move was opposed by almost 99 per cent of respondents of a survey. In a dramatic scene during an Oct. 10 council meeting, onlookers cheered as the elected body voted to accept the findings of a report submitted by retired lawyer Marshall Green. Among its seven recommendations, the document called for the cancellation of plans to create a synthetic field for use as a parade ground for the city’s Sea Cadets.
VETERANS
The federal government is putting over $78 million into a program to help veterans and ex-RCMP members who are grappling with housing issues. Prince Edward Island MP Bobby Morrissey was in Summerside on Friday to announce the Veterans Homelessness Program. The funding includes nearly $500,000 over four years for the John Howard Society of P.E.I. to support the delivery of the program on the Island. The program will help veterans and former Mounties with anything from rental subsidies and damage deposits to money for rent payments that are in arrears.
Organization preparing for veteran homelessness to rise in Ottawa (citynews.ca)
In the last several years Veterans’ House Canada has been trying to get former Canadian Armed Forces members off the streets and into permanent housing. However, the registered charity has noticed that more veterans continue to slip through the cracks in the nation’s capital.
The Joint Task Force 2 soldier is facing a new battle – Veterans Affairs Canada’s refusal to accept he has a traumatic brain injury
Shane Nedohin's role as a breacher with the Canadian military's special operations force put him in charge of kicking down doors. Sometimes literally, sometimes in ways the retired Master Corporal says are too sensitive to discuss. But the job is to clear a path so fellow soldiers can get through.
Veterans thrilled to be honoured during Legion’s first post-pandemic lunch - SaskToday.ca
MOOSE JAW — Joyful chatter filled the Legion lounge on Oct. 10 as veterans and their spouses or caregivers gathered to socialize and celebrate each other’s military careers, during the organization’s first post-pandemic luncheon. About 80 people packed into Moose Jaw’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 59, with roughly 50 of those attendees a veteran. … [G]uest speaker Maryse Carmichael — formerly the Snowbirds’ commander and currently the city manager — spoke about the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) 100th anniversary.
Veteran Jim Parks celebrates 100th birthday reminiscing about his remarkable life | CTV News
Jim Parks kicked off his centennial on Wednesday by listening to the anthem of the nation he dedicated his life to protecting. "Just look around where you are. You're in Canada. You're in a great country. One of the best countries in the world," Parks said proudly. Surrounded by family and friends, the Mount Albert veteran cherished memories of defending his country and reminisced over the last 100 years of his life.
Veterans Affairs Canada offers Yellowknife appointments (cabinradio.ca)
Staff from Veterans Affairs Canada will be in Yellowknife next week to offer services to residents. Representatives will be available to meet with veterans, RCMP members, Canadian Rangers and their family members to discuss available programs and services. Staff will be in the city and available on October 15 and 17 between 1:30pm to 4pm, the federal agency said in a brief news release.
COMMEMORATION, HISTORY & REMEMBRANCE
Ceremonial First Poppy presented to Canada's Governor General | Northern News
OTTAWA, Ontario, Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Royal Canadian Legion presented the First Poppy of the 2024 National Poppy Campaign today, to Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada. The Legion’s Dominion President, Berkley Lawrence, pinned her Poppy during the traditional annual event at Rideau Hall in Ottawa.
Honouring and remembering Canada’s veterans | The West Elgin Chronicle (thechronicle-online.com)
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 221, West Elgin, annual Poppy Campaign will begin on Oct. 25. Starting on this day, you will see poppy lapel pin donation boxes placed in businesses and other locations in and around western Elgin County. … All proceeds of the Poppy Campaign go directly in trust to be used for local veterans and their families in need. A large part of the poppy campaign is also hosting Remembrance Day services, where wreaths are placed by local service clubs, businesses and individuals at these services in remembrance and honour of our fallen military service people.
Last night, the community of Huntsville gathered at the Canada Summit Centre to honor WWII veterans with a special ceremony. Attendees included members of the Royal Canadian Legion, Mayor Nancy Alcock, town councillors, and local cadets, celebrating the new placement of the Huntsville Honour Roll.
Learn about the Bomb Girls at Ajax event on Nov. 6 (durhamregion.com)
A celebrated author, historian and dynamic speaker will share her extensive knowledge about the Bomb Girls of the Second World War at an upcoming tribute in Ajax. On Nov. 6, just days before Remembrance Day, Barbara Dickson will make a presentation at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 322 in Ajax about this significant war effort. She will focus on the DIL (Defence Industries Ltd.) factory in Ajax which employed 9,000 people during the war, and GECO munitions factory in Scarborough, which employed 21,000.
Halifax ceremony recognizes Hometown Hero | CTV News
The Government of Canada honoured Floyd H. Prosser through Parks Canada’s Hometown Heroes program during a ceremony in Halifax, N.S., Saturday, said a news release from Parks Canada. Darren Fisher, MP for Dartmouth Cole-Harbour, paid tribute to Prosser at the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site(opens in a new tab) in the presence of dignitaries and family. Prosser was born in Elgin, N.B. in 1920. He enlisted in the Canadian Army Active Service Force in 1941 in Moncton, N.B., He trained for two years with tanks in England and Scotland before he was sent to Italy in 1943.
Rocky View County will honour local veterans with a heartfelt tribute during the ‘No Stone Left Alone’ ceremony on Friday, November 1. The annual event will take place at the Field of Honour in Edenbrook Memorial Gardens, with the ceremony beginning at 10:30 a.m. The initiative is part of a larger, nationwide effort designed to engage youth, schools, and communities in remembrance. During the ceremony, local students from Bearspaw School will place poppies on veterans' headstones, symbolizing respect and gratitude for those who served the country.
City of Brantford issues call for missing WW II names from Brant War Memorial | CBC News
The City of Brantford has called on members of the public to put forward the names of local Second World War casualties who are missing from the Brant War Memorial. The city is working with the Canadian Military Heritage Museum to review and compile the missing names with the goal of installing an additional component to the war memorial next year.
Renovated Veterans Square re-opens in Bowmanville | INdurham (insauga.com)
Legion members were among the invitees to the unveiling of the newly renovated Veterans Square in Bowmanville Tuesday, a “cherished and significant” public space that honours the bravery and sacrifice of the community and is the focal point of the Remembrance Day Service.