Roll Up of CAF/Veteran/Invictus News - 28 June 2024
HEROES AMONG US
This story is part of Heroes Among Us, a special National Post series on Canadian military valour, celebrating courage in the presence of the enemy.
… So the students of the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board in Laval, Que., were in unfamiliar territory when they built their memorial to Canadian military heroes, in special honour of one especially inspiring soldier. With an eye out for others, they have also been reading the National Post’s series Heroes Among Us , describing the brave actions in Afghanistan of several plausible candidates for the Canadian Victoria Cross, struck in bronze but never yet awarded. The Corporal François (Franck) Dupéré Legacy Memorial, built of wood with metal accents ambitiously engraved “11 November 2023 — November 11, 2123,” is soon to be shipped to the King’s-Edgehill School in Nova Scotia on the first leg of what is intended to be a 100-year journey around high schools in Canada, gaining a new soldier’s name to remember at each one.
CAF | DND
Defence Minister Bill Blair is asking the courts to quash two information commissioner orders against Canada’s cyber spy agency to release records that are now nearly a year late. The commissioner is also before the federal bench demanding the top defence official comply with orders against the Department of National Defence in a pattern of organizations under his purview resisting their legal requirements. Blair (Scarborough Southwest, Ont.) oversees both the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) and the Department of National Defence (DND), both of which are subject to repeated orders by Information Commissioner Caroline Maynard to release information requested under the Access to Information Act (ATIP) that the two organizations have blocked.
Just a week after the country’s top soldier told parliamentarians the military must be more open with Canadians, his organization broke the law by refusing to release a copy of a speech he presented in public. At issue is an ongoing attempt by this newspaper to obtain a written copy of a March 7 speech that Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre gave calling for increased openness and transparency. Typically, the Canadian Forces posts copies of such public speeches on its website and issues the material to news outlets.
Canadian Forces grievance process leaves workers waiting for years for compensation - rabble.ca
This week, a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) ombudsman released findings from a review of the military grievance process. He found that, because compensation and benefits are Treasury Board-approved policies, the military grievance process cannot provide redress for issues related to pay. “Compensation and benefits” is the second most common category for grievances filed by members of the military, preceded only by “Careers.”
Ottawa should consider permanent workforce to tackle natural disasters, committee says | CBC News
A House of Commons committee is calling on the federal government to consider creating a permanent disaster management workforce that can be mobilized quickly in the event of wildfires, hurricanes and other natural calamities. But the new report by the parliamentary defence committee, quietly tabled on Wednesday after more than two years of study, is vague on what that force should look like and what its mandate should be. … The study was launched to address the strain the escalating number of climate-related emergencies has placed on the Canadian Armed Forces.
Canada, Germany and Norway are discussing the possibility of a trilateral defence and security partnership covering the North Atlantic and the Arctic — an arrangement that could be broader and deeper than previously thought. … The partnership — if it comes to pass — would be wide-ranging and would include defence-industrial cooperation on certain projects in order to create interoperable combat platforms.
The Royal Canadian Navy’s motto is “Ready, aye, ready,” and when it came to leading a important mission into the Indo-Pacific, Commander Travis Bain of Kenora was readier than ever. Since April, His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Montréal has been deployed in the Indo-Pacific as part of Operation Horizon, which is the Government of Canada’s forward-presence mission to promote peace, stability, and a rules-based international order.
Royal Canadian Navy led conga lines in Havana as part of ‘deterrence’ visit to Cuba, photos show - The Globe and Mail [You may need to set up free account to read this.]
Photos posted on social media by Canada’s embassy in Cuba show a Royal Canadian Navy band member leading conga lines during a performance in downtown Havana, interactions that cast doubt on Defence Minister Bill Blair’s description of a warship port visit as a deterrent to Moscow. The Canadian government has come under criticism for making a friendly three-day naval stop in Cuba, a staunch ally of Russia which is also reportedly allowing China to build a spy base on the island. … Lieutenant-Commander Linda Coleman, a senior communications adviser with the defence department, said the musical performance was arranged by the Department of Global Affairs. “While in country, ship personnel also engaged in cultural exchanges in the Havana area,” she said.
Canada’s top soldier, after more than a year warning about decreasing military capabilities, is now telling fellow officers they need to push a more positive message about the armed forces. Since the Liberal government came through with billions of dollars of additional funding for defence, Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Wayne Eyre says the theme he is now advocating is one of an institution on the way up.
Investigators confirm EF-0 tornado touchdown at CFB Borden (video) - Barrie News (barrietoday.com)
Investigators have confirmed a tornado occurred on Saturday afternoon at Canadian Forces Base Borden. A video posted to Facebook on Saturday afternoon showed what appears to be a white funnel cloud forming and reaching close to the ground near the military base, located about 20 minutes west of Barrie.
'Truly humbling': Former councillor honoured for charity work - Barrie News (barrietoday.com)
Rose Romita is truly one of 100. She was honoured June 19 with a special Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) centennial coin for her 20 years of commitment and dedication to Barrie residents, one of 100 Canadians to be so recognized this year. Romita has held holiday dinners for the hungry in the downtown for two decades, giving them sustenance and a sense of community with her charity work. … The RCAF is giving out 100 centennial coins to help celebrate 100 years since it began in nearby Canadian Forces Base Borden.
Command appointments for the Canadian Forces Intelligence Command (CFINTCOM) and the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Group Command (VCDS GP) were recently announced. LGen Frances Allen, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (VCDS), and MGen Michael Wright, Commander Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, announced the appointments in two separate CANFORGENS.
HEROES AMONG US
The unbelievable stories of Canada's Victoria Cross winners | National Post
These days, the Canadian Victoria Cross is mostly known as the most prestigious decoration never awarded. It’s been 31 years since Canada first inaugurated its own version of the Victoria Cross, the highest possible decoration for valour “in the presence of the enemy.” Despite some extremely brave contenders during the War in Afghanistan, a hesitant military brass has yet to break the seal on the new award.
COMMEMORATION & REMEMBRANCE | NEWFOUNDLAND’S UNKNOWN SOLDIER
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are invited to pay their respects at upcoming commemorative events associated with the centennial of the National War Memorial in St. John’s. The lying-in-state for the unknown First World War soldier from Newfoundland and Labrador will take place from Friday, June 28-Sunday, June 30, in the main lobby of the Confederation Building.
VIDEO: Lt.-Col. Kyle Strong leads the 250 officers and soldiers of the 1st and 2nd battalions of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. Strong talks to the CBC’s Heather Gillis about the bonds of the regiment — past and present — and his own family’s connection to the First World War.
Someone's Son: Repatriating Newfoundland's Unknown Soldier | CBC.ca
VIDEO: It started 100 years ago, with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment's padre, Thomas Nangle. He wanted an unknown soldier from Newfoundland repatriated to honour all the men killed. It didn’t happen in his lifetime, but a small but mighty team worked to fulfil his dream. In Someone's Son: Repatriating Newfoundland's Unknown Soldier, the CBC’s Heather Gillis, along with video producers Chelsea Jacobs and Ted Dillon, follows a story a century in the making — from diving deep into archives, to France to speak to the team who exhumed the remains and attend the repatriation ceremonies finally, the unknown soldier’s homecoming.
The week leading up to Memorial Day in Newfoundland and Labrador will be a busy one. The remains of Newfoundland's unknown soldier will be placed inside a tomb — his final resting place on home soil after more than 100 years abroad — in downtown St. John's at the newly refurbished National War Memorial, which is marking its centennial year.
Unknown Soldier Memorial Wreath Grants Now Available to Communities – NTV
Memorial wreath grants are now available for communities to commemorate repatriation of the unknown First World War soldier on Memorial Day, July 1. These grants are available to municipalities, Inuit Community Governments, and local service districts throughout the province to assist in purchasing a memorial wreath to be laid during local Memorial Day ceremonies. Further information on memorial wreath grants can be found online. The deadline to access grant funding is July 12, 2024.
Princess Anne hospitalized, won't attend Memorial Day ceremony in St. John's | CBC News
Princess Anne — the colonel in chief of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment — will not be in the province next week for Memorial Day celebrations, after suffering head injuries at her country estate over the weekend. The princess, who is also president of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, was expected to be in St. John's on July 1 when the National War Memorial refurbishment is unveiled and an unknown soldier is entombed.
Enduring Witness: The story of Newfoundland’s national war memorial at 100 years | CBC.ca
VIDEO: The centennial of Newfoundland’s National War Memorial in downtown St. John’s will be commemorated on July 1 with the addition of a tomb of the unknown soldier. But what is the history of the 100-year-old monument, the people and money behind it, and the disputes involved? The CBC’s Terry Roberts, along with video producers Danny Arsenault and Ted Dillon, looks at the history of the famous landmark in the documentary Enduring Witness: The Story of Newfoundland’s National War Memorial.
COMMEMORATION, HISTORY & REMEMBRANCE
COLUMN: Anti-tank shells were built in our area to aid war effort - Barrie News (barrietoday.com)
The production of war materials required during the Second World War meant an industrial boom throughout Canada, and Orillia was not left unaffected. In particular, Tudhope Specialties Limited produced various war materials within the factory located at the corner of Colborne and West streets. One of these was the Projectile, Infantry, Anti-Tank “PIAT” shell, developed in 1942 as a more effective means of piercing through the armoured surface of military tanks.
Canadian D-Day veteran Roly Armitage dies at age 99 | CTV News
An Ottawa D-Day veteran has died just weeks after the 80th anniversary of Canadian soldiers landing on Juno Beach in Normandy, France. Second World War veteran Roly Armitage died this week in Ottawa at the age of 99. "Very sorry to hear about the passage of Dr. Roly Armitage. A WW2 veteran, mayor of West Carleton, veterinarian, author and a good decent human being," former mayor Jim Watson said on Twitter.
Military jets to fly over Ottawa on Wednesday ahead of Canada Day | CTV News
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) will hold a flypast over downtown Ottawa and LeBreton Flats this afternoon, as part of preparations for Canada Day. Aircraft are scheduled to fly over Ottawa between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. As part of events to mark the Centennial of the RCAF, the largest flypast in 20 years is set for July 1 at 1 p.m. The RCAF says the aircraft of the past, present and future will fly by three locations on Canada Day: starting just south of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, continuing west over Parliament Hill and then flying over LeBreton Flats.