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| Issue 016/2005 |
Numéro 016/2005 |
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Quotation of the week "I believe most sincerely that it is now time for Canadians to unfurl a flag that is truly distinctive and truly national in character; as Canadian as the maple leaf which should be its dominant design; a flag easily identifiable as Canada's; a flag which cannot be mistaken for the emblem of any other country; a flag of the future which honours also the past; Canada's own and only Canada's."
Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson, |
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Trivia
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RMC to Promote Military Education in the West |
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A delegation of staff, including the commandant, B Gen Jean Leclerc; the principal, Dr. John Cowan, and a number of Officer Cadets from RMC will visit Calgary on May 13th and 14th. The aim of the visit is to promote RMC in Western Canada by participating in a variety of recruiting and high profile-raising activities; including presentations by both the commandant and principal to civic and corporate leaders of Calgary. Cadets will visit and make presentations at local high schools. This initiative will raise the profile of Canada’s military university, and stimulate enhanced interest among graduating high school students in attending the college. "We also want to encourage a larger number of |
applications to RMC from western Canadian high schoolgraduates," said Commander Darren Rich, a naval engineer graduate of Innisfail High School (located between Calgary 7 red Deer) and RMC coordinator for the visit. "Currently, 20% of RMC’s population hails from the western provinces, although this region represents almost 30% of the Canadian population." In addition, the RMC group will be guests at a black tie Leadership dinner on May 13 hosted by the Calgary Branch of the RMC Club. This dinner will see the inauguration of The Birchall Leadership Award, recognizes exemplary leadership among Canadians and named in honour of the late 2364 Air Commodore Leonard J. Birchall, CM, OBE, DFC, OO, CD, (1915 – 2004). |
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Biographical Notes: Leonard Birchall; Art Smith & Cameron Ross. |
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2364 A/C Birchall became a career RCAF officer after graduation from RMC. In April 1942, Squadron Leader Birchall was flying a Catalina flying boat patrol over the Indian Ocean when he sighted and reported the Japanese fleet intent on attacking Ceylon. this report enabled the Allies to blunt the force of the attack and Churchill coined the nickname "Saviour of Ceylon". Birchall's Catalina was shot down and he and surviving crew members became prisoners of war. As a senior officer among the POW's in an extremely difficult prison and work camp environment, Birchall frequently confronted his captors, at the risk of his life, to seek better conditions to preserve the morale, dignity and safety of other POW's. After WWII, he had a distinguished career and his engaging personality helped him to be a mentor for many people in and out of uniform, including during a tour as Commandant of RMC. He was an inspiration for integrity, responsibility and moral courage –three key components of leadership. He remained an active voice in our society long after his retirement.
Arthur Smith, well known and life long community leader from Calgary has been named by the selection committee as the inaugural winner of this Award. Art has for more than 50 years been one of Calgary's best known and most influential public figures. After working in the oilfields in the late 1930's and earning a DFC during WWII, Art tried his hand at municipal, provincial and federal politics and, as an MP, was a UN delegate in the late 1950's. During the 1960's, he started and built up a communications firm before joining Allarco and later Lavalin for 21 years, where he became Chairman and CEO of SNC-Partec and Lavalin Services Ltd. Art Smith has been a mentor to Ralph Klein since Klein first ran for mayor and it was Art's suggestions that initiated both the Calgary and Alberta Economic Development Authorities which provide a conduit for business advice being effectively delivered to governments. |
Art's volunteer leadership activities are numerous. He was Chief of Protocol for the Calgary Olympics in 1988. For years, the saying was "If you want something done, get Art to lead it". He was President of the Air Cadet League of Canada and Governor of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires and served on the boards of many organizations, including the Calgary Airport Authority, the Van Horne Institute, the Asia Pacific Foundation and the Calgary Herald community advisory board. He is honourary Colonel of 416 Fighter Squadron. Art Smith is perhaps best known for his pivotal role in creating and developing the $30 million Calgary Homeless Foundation, for which he was the first Chairman and a tireless fundraiser. This cause exemplifies Art's concern for fairness and giving a helping hand to the less fortunate. Art's stubborn charm and boundless energy have made him an inspiration for many. After overcoming cancer and a stroke, he says "I have survived most medical conditions except pregnancy".
9413 Cameron Ross, entered Royal Roads Military College, Victoria, B.C. in 1968 and retired from the Canadian Forces in 2003. He is currently Vice President for International Relations of Emergo Canada Ltd., a private multinational investment company. Born in Ottawa, Cameron Ross graduated from Royal Military College in 1973 and joined the armoured regiment, Lord Strathcona’s Horse. Cameron Ross had a wide range of military postings, most of them overseas, including Cyprus, Germany, Syria, Lebanon and Angola. He also commanded his regiment and was Commander of the Combat Training Centre at Gagetown, New Brunswick and Garrison Commander at Edmonton. He has held two senior postings on Canada-U.S. Bi-National planning. MGen Ross’ last military appointment was as Director General International Security Policy at National Defence HQ in Ottawa. In 2004, he was the Team Leader for a Strategic Security Review of law enforcement, border control, and counter terrorism issues involving seven Caribbean countries. Cameron and his wife have two sons and live in Calgary. A number of tickets are still available for the Dinner. Ex Cadets, Family & Friends of RMC are invited and encouraged to attend.
More information on the Calgary Legacy Dinner is
available by pressing HERE. |
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“VICTORY 1945” |
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What's Happening Around the College? |
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RMC Cadets
Capture Sandhurst Championship |
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RMC finished first with 839 points out of a possible 900. This was 11 points better than the second best team which was from West Point. |
“I am thrilled and really proud of the team effort. Through their tremendous dedication, fitness and teamwork they espouse the ideals of what an officer of the Canadian Forces should be,” said Brig.-Gen. Jean Leclerc, Commandant of RMC. “Last year, we completed the competition with 951 points, out of a maximum score of 1,000 - just 3 points behind the winning British team and we did not want that to happen again,” said 21285 (RMC ’98) Lieut. (N) David Patchell, Squadron Commander in charge of the RMC Team. Canada competed against 45 teams from the U.S. and U.K. and prevailed against some of the fittest young men and women in the world. The team’s performance was spectacular.” This was the first time that RMC has won the Sandhurst competition since first entering in 1997. |
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Press here for the History of the Sandhurst Competition. |
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 Officer Cadets of the Royal Military College of Canada participated in the Battle of the Atlantic Service of Remembrance this past Sunday in Kingston. |
About 100 or so Cadets marched in front of City Hall and joined a contingent
of the HMCS Cataraqui in attendance at the Battle of the Atlantic Service of
Remembrance at the Marine Museum.
After a few days of rain in the area over the past few days, the Cadets were
treated to some very fine spring weather. Many of the local population took
in the ceremony. |
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  L-R, top: Dr. Willard Sterling Boyle, Gen Ray Henault, bottom: Dr. Louise Vandelac |
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 Friday May 20, 7:20 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. - Sunset Ceremony. The SkyHawks, the Canadian Forces Parachute Team, will open this stunning presentation by jumping onto College grounds (weather permitting). Officer Cadets will demonstrate some of the College's oldest traditions through the Old 18 Historic Drill Team, Military Skills Team, Silent Drill Team, and dynamic performances featuring RMC`s own Brass and Reed, Pipe and Drum Bands and the Highland Dancers. Fireworks will conclude. |
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 Saturday May 21, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Graduation and Commissioning Parade. Gen. Rick Hillier, Chief of the Defence Staff, accompanied by the Chiefs of Staff of the Navy, Army and Air Force, will present graduating students with their Commissions of Officers in the Canadian Forces. The Wilkinson Sword of Honour will be awarded to the top student. RMC Officer Cadets will display their foot drill and sword movements, fire an impressive 'Feux de Joie'; a 300-person honour guard performing a rifle salute with accompanying field artillery, all in honour of their graduating friends and fellow cadets. The RMC Museum will be open from noon to 5 p.m. |
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Two third year Officer Cadets (OCdts) of the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) have recently been selected for two $11,000 international scholarships: Ocdt Daniel Arsenault, 22, political science student from Charlottetown, PEI, and OCdt Simon Mailloux, 21, student in military and strategic studies from Quebec City, Que., are scheduled to leave in mid-May for four months to undertake research with the École de maintien de la paix, of Kulikovo, and the Institut de recherche sur le développement, of Bamako, both institutions located in Mali, Africa.
'These scholarships fall under an RMC project undertaken with the financial
support of the
Government of Canada provided through the Canadian
International Development Agency
(CIDA)," said Brig.-Gen. |
 Jean
Leclerc, Commandant of RMC. "As a member of the Association of Universities
and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) RMC is involved in the Canada Corps initiative
launched by the AUCC on behalf of CIDA in December last year." RMC boasts a highly disciplined student body, amongst whom many are already committed to national service and eager to serve abroad. "By virtue of their selection for the Canadian Forces, they are easily prepared for international deployment, and are likely to be engaged in international activities later in their careers,' said Lt.-Col. David Last, RMC Registrar. "A high proportion of faculty and students have specialized knowledge of security institutions and governance that stems from RMC's core curriculum. As Canada's military university, RMC works with other Canadian universities anywhere in the country, and already has a large number of bilateral and multilateral arrangements and research links with civilian universities around the world." |
Friday
May 20, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Convocation Ceremonies.
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Col. the Hon. George F.G. Stanley (1907-2002) |
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| In 1949, George Stanley, was appointed head of the history department at the Royal Military College and he served in this capacity for twenty years and as the first Dean of Arts (1962-1969). He became a member of the Royal Society of Canada in 1950 and received the Society's Tyrrell Medal for history in 1957. At the Royal Military College, he taught the first undergraduate course in military history ever given in Canada. Twenty years of R.M.C. graduates passed through his classes; he taught most of the senior officers in Canada's Defence Forces, including several Chiefs of Staff. In 1989 when he retired from his post as Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, a testimonial dinner was given in his honour at |
Gagetown, and the guests at the head table were all Canadian
generals, who had flown in to honour their former professor! Many of
his former students have achieved distinction as professional
historians. Prior to his death in 2002, and for a number of years he was also recognized as H8829 - an Honourary Life Member of the RMC Club of Canada
Press here to learn more
about this — Historian, Author, Soldier, Teacher, Public Servant,
and Designer of the Canadian Flag. |
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1. A prolific contemporary Quebecois this author has a number of works
to his credit, and has received many prizes and honours, among them
the 1991 Stephen Leacock Prize for humour for Prayers of a Very
Wise Child
6. He is an Honourary member (S116) of the RMC Club of Canada. Press here to find out who it is. |
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H15198 JACQUES CASTONGUAY, C.M.,
C.D., D.Ph |
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Tous ceux qui sont passés par le Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean à partir des années 1970 se souviennent sûrement de Jacques Castonguay. Au fil des ans il y occupa les fonctions de professeur, directeur-fondateur du Département d’administration, directeur du Département de psychologie militaire et gestion, doyen de la faculté d’Administration et des Humanités, doyen des Études collégiales et recteur. Ses notes biographiques ci-bas font foi d’une carrière très bien remplie.
C’est lui qui a initié le projet de faire du CMR de Saint-Jean une université complète et a assumé la responsabilité de ce dossier jusqu’à l’adoption à l’unanimité par l’Assemblée nationale de la loi 204 octroyant une charte au CMR de Saint-Jean à cet effet en 1988. La photo ci-jointe nous montre l’Honorable Gilles Lamontagne, alors lieutenant-gouverneur, remettant à Jacques Castonguay une copie de la loi 204. A droite on aperçoit le président de l’Assemblée nationale, M. Pierre Lorrain.
Nommé historien officiel du Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean en 1991,
Jacques Castonguay a publié 16 livres sur l’histoire militaire canadienne,
dont deux (2) sur le CMR de Saint-Jean. Un troisième livre sur le même
sujet paraîtra l’automne prochain. Auteur prolifique, il a de plus publié les volumes suivants : Psychologie de la mémoire, Éditions du Lévrier, 1962. Le Fort Saint-Jean, Éditions du Lévrier, 1965. The Unknown fort, Éditions du Lévrier, 1966. Unsung Mission, Institut de Pastorale, 1968. Dictionnaire de la psychologie et des sciences connexes (français-anglais et anglais-français), Maloine S.A., Paris, 1972. Les Bataillons et le dépôt du Royal 22e Régiment, 1945-1965, Régie du R 22e R, 1975. Les Défis du Fort Saint-Jean, Éditions du Richelieu, 1975. La Seigneurie de Philippe Aubert de Gaspé, Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, Fides, 1977. La Psychologie au secours du consommateur, Fides, 1978. Histoire de la Base des Forces canadiennes Montréal, CFB Montréal, 1981. Le Régiment de la Chaudière, Q.G. du Régiment de la Chaudière, 1983. Lady Stuart, Éditions du Méridien, 1986. Les Voltigeurs de Québec, premier régiment canadien-français, Q.G. des Voltigeurs de Québec, 1987. Le Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean, Éditions du Méridien, 1989. Philippe Aubert de Gaspé, seigneur et homme de lettres, Septentrion, 1991. Le Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean, une université à caractère différent, Septentrion, 1991. Le 5e Régiment d’artillerie légère du Canada, BFC Valcartier, 1993. |
La 16e Escadre Saint-Jean, ses antécédents et ses unités, La Beaucassière, 1994. Les Casques bleus au Rwanda, L’Harmattan, Paris, 1998. Les Voltigeurs de Québec, au service du Canada depuis 1862, Q.G. des Voltigeurs de Québec, 2002. D’une seigneurie à l’autre, La Beaucassière, 2002. C’était la guerre à Québec, 1939-1945, Art Global, 2003. Malgré qu’il soit à la retraite depuis de nombreuses années, Jacques Castonguay n’en a pas moins ralenti le rythme de production de ses publications et de son implication dans divers comités. Amateur de grand air, il partage son temps entre jouer au gentleman farmer sur sa propriété des environs de Saint-Jean-Port-Joli et vivre dans la grande ville de Montréal dans un appartement avec vue magnifique sur la métropole. Si vous lui demandez quel a été le meilleur coup de sa vie, il vous répondra que c’est d’avoir joué un petit rôle dans la décision d’Hélène Ladouceur de faire carrière au CMR de Saint-Jean. Il y fut en effet mon mentor et c’est grâce à lui si j’ai rencontré un grand nombre d’entre vous à travers les ans. Je me sens privilégiée de côtoyer encore aujourd’hui un tel homme dont le charisme et l’intelligence sont tout aussi présents que lorsqu’il m’a passée en entrevue en 1972. NOTES BIOGRAPHIQUESJacques Castonguay est originaire de Québec. Au terme de ses études secondaires qu’il fit dans sa ville natale, il fréquenta le Séminaire de Québec et obtint un baccalauréat ès arts de l’Université Laval. Il étudia par la suite à Ottawa, puis à Rome et à Paris. De retour au pays en 1956, il enseigna et a poursuivi des études avancées sur la psychologie de la mémoire qui lui valurent en 1960 un doctorat de l’université de Montréal. Durant la Deuxième Guerre mondiale, soit de 1943 à 1945, il servit avec le Corps de transmission royal canadien (R ). En 1958, il s’enrôla de nouveau, cette fois avec l’Aviation royale du Canada, d’abord en qualité de réserviste, puis durant neuf ans avec la Force régulière. De 1993 à 1998, il a été colonel honoraire de la 16e Escadre de la Force aérienne du Canada. Jacques Castonguay a enseigné dans trois institutions universitaires. Sur son itinéraire de professeur figurent le Collège universitaire dominicain d’Ottawa, l’Université York de Toronto et le Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean. Il a même postulé pour le poste de recteur de l’Université nationale du Rwanda à Butare mais la direction a décidé d’africaniser le poste. Au Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean, il fut successivement doyen de la faculté d’Administration et des Humanités, doyen des Études collégiales et recteur. Il a été également président de l’Institut militaire de Québec et président de l’Institut Interarmées de Montréal. Jacques Castonguay a publié jusqu’à maintenant plusieurs volumes et de nombreux articles de revue. Son grand intérêt pour l’histoire militaire s’est concrétisé par la publication d’une vingtaine de volumes. Il a publié à Paris un ouvrage sur la Mission des Nations Unies au Rwanda et tout récemment un deuxième volume sur le même sujet. Le Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean lui a décerné le titre de Professeur Émérite et lui a remis un doctorat ès lettres honoris causa; le Collège militaire royal du Canada (Kingston) lui a décerné pour sa part un doctorat en droit honoris causa. De plus, le Club des Anciens du CMR de Saint-Jean l’a nommé membre honoraire en 1982.
Jacques Castonguay est membre de l’Ordre du Canada depuis 1991 et a reçu la
médaille du 125e anniversaire de la Confédération en 1992 et la Médaille
d’Or, au titre de l’histoire militaire, décernée par la Renaissance
française, Paris, en 1997. |
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Professor Yvan Gagnon just recently published his second book entitled Making Sense of Politics...Anytime, Anywhere. (Kashtan Press 2005). Since he taught Political Science at RMC from 1972 until 2002, his former students of politics can get an improved summary of most of what he tried to teach them in his lectures and many discussions. (Thus they can throw any old notes away!)
(Click on picture for larger view) |
Moreover, it can be a very good source of information for anyone else (Engineers et all.) who always wondered what we teach in political science and why we do this at RMC.... In this book, Dr. Yvan Gagnon, provides an incisive interpretation of how and why human beings living together must deal with political issues on an ongoing basis, no matter who they are or where they might live in the world, arguing that the study of politics is amongst the most important of activities for those dedicated to the happiness of humankind. A timely read for all us who are following the current national political situation! Interested readers may purchase Making Sense of Politics…Anytime, Anywhere ($35.00, plus S & H)) through the RMC Club (Panet House) or by contacting Yvan: gagnon-y@rmc.ca or at his home RR#3, Bath, ON K0H 1G0 Tel: 613 389 0145
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20717 Captain Sebastien Bronsard was born 05 August 1973 and raised in Lahr,
Germany. He joined the Canadian Forces in 1993 and attended the Royal
Military College (RMC) in Kingston Ontario. He graduated with a Bachelor of
Arts Degree with honours in History in 1997. He also played four seasons for
the “Redmen” hockey team and enjoyed a great deal of success competing in
the OUAA. After graduation from RMC, he completed Logistics Officer training in Borden Ontario and joined 2 Service Battalion (2 Svc Bn) in Petawawa Ontario. Employment with 2 Svc Bn included being a Platoon Commander for both Headquarters and Laundry, Bath and Decontamination Platoons with Supply Company and Acting Adjutant with Headquarters Company. |
In 1998, he was deployed as the Logistics Officer for the Disaster
Assistance Response Team (DART) to Honduras following the devastation of
hurricane Mitch. Following a 2-year posting with 2 Combat Engineer Regiment,
Captain Sebastien Bronsard was posted to Support Company at the Canadian
Parachute Centre (CPC) in Trenton Ontario in 2002. Since arriving at the
CPC, he has held numerous positions and appointments such as Second in
Command of Support Company, followed by Officer Commanding Support Company
and finally the Operations Officer for the CPC. He completed the Military
Freefall Course in 2004 and currently has 80 freefall descents. He joined
the SkyHawks as the Team Captain for the 2005 season.
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Ex Cadets in the News! We pick-up our news sources from wherever we can. Readers are encouraged to forward any item on an Ex Cadet, former staff member from any of the three military colleges. College number & photo will make our life a lot easier. William.oliver@rmc.ca |
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Catching Up With the News! |
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By STEPHANIE RUBEC, SENIOR POLITICAL REPORTER, SUN MEDIA |
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The defence department's director of pay and policy development has been treating a plan to stem the bleed from the secretive unit through increased bonuses as its "highest priority," according to an October 2003 note to the deputy chief of defence staff's office. 'INVALUABLE TOOL' "A substantial, tangible allowance structure meeting today's needs will be an invaluable tool in retaining the single-most critical resource JTF2 possesses," says a May 2004 memo from the military's pay division, referring to its soldiers. JTF2 assaulters and their support staff receive the same basic pay as Canadian Forces soldiers of the same rank. But they also get monthly bonuses to make up for their gruelling schedule and dangerous work. Those run from $320 extra for someone who provides basic support such as tending equipment to $983 monthly for highly skilled veteran assaulters. |
Those amounts have not
increased since 1997 and the memo says that is causing some soldiers
to be "lured by a most lucrative civilian market."
Not only are JTF2 soldiers a sought-after commodity for security companies who pay upwards of $1,000 a day plus expenses and first-class travel, there are also many jobs available at the United Nations and other international organizations where their salary is tax free. "International organizations, security companies and corporations are actively recruiting and the employment climate is definitely a seller's market," a 2004 memo says. CUTTING TIME AWAY 20366 Navy Lieut. Walter Moniz said the plan to increase the allowances is heading to the Treasury Board for approval and other measures are being considered to convince JTF2 members to stick with their unit, such as diminishing their time out of country. "They want to retain the specialities that these guys have," Moniz said. Moniz said commandos are being reminded that private security companies don't offer as good a pension as the Canadian Forces, and won't look after their family if they are injured or killed. "At the end of the day you're looking at a life and a career as opposed to a job," Moniz said.
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 12506
Captain Dr. Lionel Boxer
CD KSJ LCM (RMC 1980) has been piping in Melbourne ANZAC Day parades
since 1999.
His grandfather served in the 24th Battalion (Australian Imperial Force), initially marshalled in Egypt for deployment to Gallipoli and then at the Western Front on and off until the end of the War. His grandmother was a Canadian nurse who treated his grandfather after he was gassed and injured. Lionel is currently Regimental Affairs Officer and Pipes and Drums Officer of 5th/6th Battalion, The Royal Victoria Regiment (RVR). The RVR is affiliated with the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment, The Royal Regiment of Canada, The Toronto Scottish Regiment and the 48th Highlanders of Canada. In recent years, Lionel has liaised with those Canadian units on his return visits to Canada. Ex Cadet - ANZAC Day - 12506 Captain Dr. Lionel Boxer can be seen under the drum major's extended arm and "in step" with the rest of the parade. |
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Veterans' anger over disco hits at
Gallipoli |
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Australians expressed their outrage yesterday at the playing of the Bee Gees song Stayin' Alive at this week's anniversary of the ill-fated Gallipoli campaign. Along with a video of the group's You Should Be Dancin, the disco hit was displayed on a large screen to entertain 20,000 people, mostly Australians and New Zealanders, before Monday's dawn service at the site of the campaign's first landings in Turkey 90 years ago. The commemoration, attended by the Prince of Wales and the Australian prime minister, John Howard, was organised by an Australian company, Definitive Events. "I think they must have rocks in their heads," said Don Rowe, the president of the New South Wales branch of the Returned Servicemen's League, Australia's main veterans' organisation. "It was very inappropriate." Jeff Lea, 65, an Australian who was at the service, said organisers had "lost the plot". "I was here for the 85th anniversary and there was no entertainment. You don't need anything, " he said. Australia's minister for veterans affairs, Deanne Kelly, |
said the songs from the film Saturday Night Fever,along with hits by Eric Clapton, were played to entertain the crowd, which had gathered many hours before the dawn service was due to start. But she admitted that it was unlikely the Bee Gees would be heard again at Gallipoli. "I think in future we'd plan what was to be played, if entertainment is necessary as a distraction in that long, cold, dark lead-up to the dawn service," she said. Veterans also deplored the piles of rubbish left by the crowd, many of them Australian and New Zealander backpackers who regard "doing Gallipoli" in the same vein as taking part in Munich's annual beer festival. Empty beer cans, wine bottles, plastic bags and food wrappers were strewn over Anzac Cove, which is regarded as sacred ground by most Australians and New Zealanders. The wreaths placed at the memorial by Prince Charles and Mr Howard were reportedly covered in litter. "It's just unbelievable that they can't respect a site such as Gallipoli," said Bill Gaynor, the president of the RSL in Western Australia.
More than 11,000
Australians and New Zealanders were killed in the disastrous
nine-month campaign to capture the Dardanelles Straits, along with
21,000 British troops, nearly 10,000 French soldiers and more than
1,300 Indians. Turkey lost about 86,000 men. |
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Military
brass are scrambling to boost the bonuses of elite commandos in a bid
to fend off increasingly aggressive recruiting by security companies,
Sun Media has learned. Canada's small Joint Task Force 2 unit is fast
becoming a prime poaching ground for companies providing security in
war-torn countries such as Iraq, according to highly censored
documents obtained under Access to Information. 
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A Bastion of Military Education Kills the Shooting Teams. At best, hard to understand. More and more the current trends at RMC drive me away from it. RMC exists to help train future officers in more ways than just education the college way. No boxing, no shooting what next, no running. I am glad that Rugby is back. When will the underwater knitting team start? Can’t find the money to fix the range, so stop shooting. Hope we do not teach the cadets to plan for war this way. Karmin McKay 10970 I was on the varsity pistol team for three years (96-99). We actually beat West Point Feb of 1997. It is a shame that a Military College no longer has a shooting team. I would hope that the facilities on CFB Kingston would be used to continue a shooting program for cadets. I understand that a few modifications to the range could have kept it open for use. Some of the lanes would have had to been removed, but a few less lanes is better than zero. Personal health is very important. Stephen Sultana 21539 This is the worst news I ever had! As a member of both the pistol and rifle teams in the 1950's, and the fencing team at Royal Roads, many of my classmates and I enjoyed tournaments outside the confines of the college, and I believe they did a lot to broaden our outlooks - it looks like someone has forgotten that the college is a branch of the Armed Forces! How can you compete with West Point? - or isn't that done anymore? 3135 John Jefferies |
We
received more reaction from the recent announcement regarding
cancellation of the varsity shooting teams. |
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"Many Hands - make the burden light". « L’aide de plusieurs rend la tâche facile » S125 Bill & S134 Rolande Oliver |
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Origins of Copper Sunday |
 The last church service before graduation has long been a time of celebration. A year of hard work is over and the adventures of summer are about to begin; for those graduating it symbolizes, along with other graduation ceremonies, the beginning of a new life. As attendance at church service was compulsory, the cadets marched into town each Sunday. The final church parade of they year very quickly became a special event in the minds of the cadets. “Penny Sabbath” was established as an event between 1878 and 1882. Cadets No. 47 Ernest F. Wurtele and No. 48 A.K. Kirkpatrick are considered responsible for instigating the events with probable assistance and encouragement from their classmates. Instead of solemnly placing their coins in the collection plate during the final Sunday service at St. George’s Cathedral, the conspirators would take “from fifteen to fifty coppers and throw them at |
the plate or on the floor with as much racket as they could possibly
make.” As the tradition continued, the Commandant must have been
amused. This practice changed in 1904 when the cadets paid for red
and white flowers to decorate the church. However, the gifts of
copper returned a few years later, but without the boisterous racket
of the earlier years. For ease of transportation and in the name of uniformity, an issued black sock was introduced as the means of carrying the pennies to church. Sunday services are no long mandatory at the College, with the exception of Copper Sunday. On Copper Sunday, a cadet's offering should be given in thanksgiving for the past year. The tradition should also be followed in memory of the cadets who, for more than a century, have carried their pennies across the river on the final Sunday of the cadet year. |
| The eVERITAS electronic Newsletter reaches over 5,000 readers . It is a service provided by the RMC Club for Members in good standing with current addresses in the data base. It is designed to provide timely information on current events at RMC and to keep Members "connected". Occasionally, it will be distributed to non-members to entice them to join or renew their membership. Membership information is available at www.rmcclub.ca Newsworthy articles from national or local papers that may not have been available to the majority of our readers may be reproduced in e-VERITAS. We will also publish articles in either official language as submitted by Cadets and Staff, on "current life" at RMC. Other short “human interest stories" about Cadets, Ex-Cadets, Alumni and current and former Staff at the College will appear from time-to-time. Readers of e-VERITAS are encouraged to submit articles in either official language to william.oliver@rmc.ca. In particular, up-to-date “Where are they now?” articles on Ex-Cadets, Alumni and current and former Staff would be most welcome.
eVERITAS
is intended as a supplement and not a replacement of Veritas, the
highly popular magazine of the RMC Club printed and distributed three
times a year to Members by mail.
|
Chaque édition du bulletin électronique e-VERITAS rejoint plus de 5,000 lecteurs. C’est un service fourni, par le Club des CMR, aux membres dont les adresses sont à jour dans notre base de données. Son but est de fournir des renseignements à point nommé sur les actualités au CMR et de garder en communication les membres du Club. Occasionnellement, il sera distribué aux membres qui ne sont plus en règle espérant qu’ils renouvelleront leur carte de membre annuelle ou qu’ils deviendront membres à vie. Les renseignements sur l’adhésion au Club sont disponibles au www.rmcclub.ca. Articles d’intérêt national ou local qui ne sont pas disponibles à la majorité de nos lecteurs seront reproduits dans e-VERITAS. Nous produirons aussi des articles dans l’une des deux langues officielles soumis par les élèves officiers et le personnel du Collège sur la vie actuelle au CMR. Nous offrirons de temps à autre de courtes anecdotes sur les élèves officiers, les Anciens et les membres du personnel d’hier et d’aujourd’hui. Nous encourageons les lecteurs de e-VERITAS à soumettre des articles dans l’une ou l’autre des deux langues officielles à Rolande.Oliver@rmc.ca. En particulier des articles récents sur « Où sont-ils présentement? » seraient grandement appréciés. e-VERITAS est un supplément et NON une substitution pour VERITAS la revue populaire du Club des CMR imprimée et distribuée aux membres en règle, par la poste, trois fois par année. |