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 8 in History

On this date in 1943, Italy announced its surrender.

News

MWO John Dugas, CD (Ret'd) Receives the CMEA Commendation

On 7 August 2026, the Canadian Military Engineer Colonel Commandant, Lieutenant-General Paul Wynnyk, CMM, MSM, CD, presented Master Warrant Officer John Dugas, CD (Ret'd) with a CMEA Commendation.  MWO Dugas earned this recognition for his remarkable devotion to serving his fellow disabled veterans, including many retired Combat Engineers, in receiving Service Dogs. John has demonstrated his expertise in raising awareness and funding for PTSD Service Dogs…

LCol Ralph Gienow, OMM, CD, (Ret'd) Receives the CMEA Commendation

On 7 August 2026, the Canadian Military Engineer Colonel Commandant, Lieutenant-General Paul Wynnyk, CMM, MSM, CD presented Lieutenant-Colonel Ralph Gienow, OMM, CD, (Retired) with a CMEA Commendation.    LCol Gienow joined the CF in 1960 and retired in 1983 after serving across Canada, the United States, Egypt, The Golan Heights, and Germany.    Ralph has been an active member of the Military Engineer Association…

LCol Dennis Dwyer, CD, (Ret'd) Receives the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers

On 7 August 2026, the Canadian Military Engineer Colonel Commandant, Lieutenant-General Paul Wynnyk, CMM, MSM, CD presented Lieutenant-Colonel Dennis Dwyer, CD, (Ret'd) with the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.   LCol Dwyer retired from the Canadian Forces in 1997, after completing over 35 years of exemplary, combined Regular and Primary Reserve Force Service.  His military service was followed by employment by Elk Island Public Schools in…

Heritage Moments

The North-West Staging Route

A Second World War Royal Canadian Air Force unit, No. 4 Construction and Maintenance Unit (CMU), was instrumental in developing the North-West Staging Route during the war. This was a vital air corridor connecting Canada to Alaska that was crucial for military operations. Established primarily to ferry aircraft, it enabled the efficient transportation of military material to support operations in the Pacific theatre and to aid the Soviet Union under Lend-Lease agreements.

The North-…

Camp Maple Leaf

A Lesson From History in East Timor

In 1999, East Timor voted for independence from Indonesia. However, after a month of violence and destruction following the referendum, the United Nations authorized an interim Australian-led coalition to help stabilize the new nation. The UN intervened some six months later and Canada contributed some 600 Canadian servicemen over the 6-month duration of Operation TOUCAN.

Tasks for the Canadian ground forces included patrolling rural and urban areas,…

With the UNEF in Egypt

Peacekeeping activities for the Royal Canadian Engineers began in earnest when the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) was authorized on 4 November 1956 for deployment in Egypt. This first United Nations Emergency Force was established to secure an end to the Suez Crisis between Egypt, Israel, Britain and France. The plan envisaged the deployment of UNEF on both sides of the armistice line. Egypt accepted receiving the UN forces, but Israel refused. Lieutenant General Tommy Burns, formerly…

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. 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, Captain Fugère joined the 10th Field Engineer Squadron in September 1992…

Last Posts

Spr Philip Emberson Weber (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the sudden death of Sapper Philip Emberson Weber (Ret’d) on 21 August 2026 at his home in Edmonton, AB.

Phil was born in Halifax NS and moved with his parents to eventually live in Fort St. John, BC. Phil joined the Canadian Armed Forces and, after completing his basic Field Engineer training at the Royal Canadian School of Military Engineering in Chilliwack BC, he served with a field squadron in Canada. Phil then served in Germany with 4 Field Squadron in the mid-1960s. 

Phil retired from the Canadian Armed Forces upon returning to Canada.  He initially lived in Edmonton but eventually settled in Fort Saskatchewan in 1978, where he worked as a paramedic for Dow Chemical until he retired. 

A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held at a later date. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The ALS Society of Alberta.

 

Corporal Bernie Mooney, CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Corporal Bernie Mooney, CD (Ret’d), peacefully on 13 August 2026 in Hamilton, ON.

Bernie joined the Canadian Armed Forces in July 1970 and served with the Canadian Military Engineer family as a Combat Engineer. During his service, Bernie was a member of the Canadian Airborne Regiment in Edmonton, AB; 3 Field Squadron in Chilliwack, BC; and 4 Field Squadron in Lahr, GE (1975-77). Bernie retired from the Canadian Forces after he returned home to Canada.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Souris Legion { 56 Main Street } on Sunday, 30 August 2026 between 3:00 - 5:00 PM.  Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.

 

Cpl John 'Gary' Gallant, CD (Ret’d)

We regret to advise of the death of Firefighter Corporal John 'Gary' Gallant, CD (Ret’d), peacefully at his home in North Rustico, PEI on 30 July 2026 at age 81.  During his military career, John served as a Firefighter with the Royal Canadian Air Force in the 1970s in his home province at Canadian Forces Base Summerside.

A graveside service will take place at 4:00 p.m. on 30 August 2026, at the Stella Maris Cemetery in North Rustico. If so desired, donations in Gary's memory may be made to the Stella Maris Cemetery, North Rustico. Online condolences can be sent to the funeral home.