President’s Report
Hi all, there is a great article about Ex Fireweed and the successful completion of the BMQ course coordinated by 44 Engr Sqn & 39 CER. The newsletter ends off with an interesting story about Op GRANITE II.
Chimo,
Bill Wenman
President
In this Issue:
Honours And Awards
Exercises
Training - BMQ
Op Granite II
Veteran Affairs
Membership
Article by Capt Kyle Ho, RPOU(W) Program Officer
As part of the Defence Team Canadian Asian Network’s (DTCAN) national Asian Heritage Month celebrations, Master Warrant Officer (Retired) Gary Ross Izawa, from the Western Region, was selected as one of the four panelists. He delivered a deeply moving and courageous story of his personal journey as a Japanese Canadian and a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Now serving as a Canadian Ranger with 4 Canadian…
Article by Capt Kyle Ho, RPOU(W) Program Officer
In a powerful show of unity and cultural celebration, the Real Property Operations Unit (West) (RPOU-W) and 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER) hosted an unofficial visit for Lieutenant-Commander Beth Lei, Co-Chair of the Defence Team Canadian Asian Network (DTCAN) on 29 Apr 25 at CFB Edmonton.
LCdr Lei, born in Taipei, Taiwan, brings over 30 years of distinguished service in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Her…
Article by: Capt Kyle Ho, RPOU(W) Program Officer
Managing real property assets requires adequate funding and strategic planning. After facing funding challenges in the last fiscal year, the Real Property Operation Unit Western (RPOU-W) hosted the Spring Real Property Steering Committee (RPSC) meetings to understand the Division Commanders' intent and priorities for navigating efficient management practices. These discussions and outcomes are critical, serving as a guiding…
The CME would like to announce the release or retirement of the following members (no biographies submitted):
After more than 31 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Capt R.W. Bowen, CD, (00189) will retire on 6 October 2025. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to MWO R.S. Thomas: robert.thomas@forces.gc.ca
After more than 24 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and…
Op GRANITE II Flyer 23 May 2025
If you have ever served in Chilliwack and always wanted to go back to reconnect with old friends and visit the old place, next year is the time!
The Pacific Retired Sappers Association, with the full support of the CMEA and the Chilliwack Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, is planning a Homecoming Reunion centred on recognizing the 80th Anniversary of the dedication of All Sappers Park & Memorial as an occasion to rededicate…
Submitted by Maj Alexander Landry, CMEA Secretary
This past weekend, the Canadian Military Engineers Association (CMEA) presented the Major-General John Arthur Stewart Trophy at the RMC 2025 Graduation Parade.
The award is given to the top Military Engineer cadet in their graduating year, recognizing exceptional proficiency in academics, athletics, military performance, and bilingualism. This year’s recipient, 29957 OCdt Tahirah Chant, a Civil Engineering graduate,…
Article by CWO F.R. Wightman, with Maj. K. Stevens, CWO M.G.M. Rousseau, MWO L.M. Neault and PO2 D.L. Bothe
WO Patrice Vincent was killed in a terror-related attack in Saint-Jean-sur Richelieu, Quebec on Monday, 20 Oct 2014. WO Vincent joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a Combat Engineer in 1985 and accepted an occupational transfer to Fire Fighter in 1990. At the time of the attack, he was serving as a member of the Integrated Support Centre, Joint Personnel Support…
Article by LCol Doug Wright, CD (Ret'd)
Earlier this spring, I embarked on a battlefield tour of First and Second World War sites, including Flanders, Vimy, Somme, Normandy, Dieppe, Breskens Pocket and Scheldt, with each site holding memories, from the sombre trenches of the Somme to the strategic beaches of Normandy.
The tour culminated in the Netherlands for the 80th anniversary of Liberation, where we attended the celebration at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery and then…
The CMEA would like to announce the release or retirement of the following members (no biographies submitted):
After more than 39 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military Engineer Branch, Sgt A.M. Troost, CD, (00339) retired on 24 April 2025. Anecdotes and well wishes may be sent to Maj I.O. SIY at siy@forces.gc.ca
After more than 37 years of loyal and dedicated service to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Military…
