July 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the poppy as the symbol of remembrance in Canada.
In 1918, Moina Michael, a staff member of the American Overseas YMCA, wore a red poppy as a symbol of remembrance. She was inspired by John McCrae’s poem, “In Flanders Fields.” Michael petitioned the American Legion to recognize the poppy as the symbol of remembrance in 1920.
Anna Guérin, of France, was also moved by the poppy and the poem. Guérin travelled to Britain…
31 July 2021:
Dear Conference of Defence Associations community, I'm happy to report that over 500 Canadians have offered to volunteer. so far. In the map below, you'll see they hail from every single province and the the territories too. Meanwhile, we've begun coordinating with the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to determine how we might best leverage and utilize this pan-Canada show of support.
I wish to thank all of those among you who answered the call…
This year's winner of the MGen John Arthur Stewart Trophy is OCdt Adam David Johnson. Newly commissioned 2Lt Johnson is an RCAF Construction Engineer with a degree in Civil Engineering.
This trophy is awarded to the top military engineer cadet in his or her graduating year whose occupation classification is Engineer (MOC 24 / MOSID 00181) or Construction Engineer (MOC 46 / MOSID 00189). It is sponsored by the Canadian Military Engineer Association (CMEA), and is…
Sapper Adam Wright of 5th Combat Engineer Regiment has been assigned duties as sentry at the National War Memorial. Spr Wright, who claims Thunder Bay and Sudbury ON as his home town says it is "an honor to represent the CAF in all aspects. Sentries help Canadians see and understand our professionalism".
See: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2021/06/national-sentry-program-2021-begins-at-the-national-war-memorial.html
13 July 2021
Many of us have been watching the reports coming out of Afghanistan with dismay. The fall of Panjwai, reported last week, has hit many of us particularly hard, and as we question our legacy, it serves as a harbinger for all Canadians who served in the country, regardless of when and where.
Panjwai District, with its place names such as Masum Ghar, Nakhonay, Sperwan Ghar, and Mushan, are indelibly etched into the collective psyche of those who served there. The…
This week marks the 78th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Sicily and the beginning of the Italian Campaign on 9 July 1943. The Royal Canadian Engineers supported every battle from start to finish. The gallantry and sacrifice of our officers and men was far from insignificant. Man-for-man, only the infantry suffered more than the Sappers. In Sicily, the RCE received more gallantry awards than any other corps or regiment.
The Italian Campaign has often been…
A Virtual Change of Command ceremony will take place on 08 July at 0900 hrs between the outgoing CO, LCol Marc Comeau, and the incoming CO Designate, LCol Brad Krajcik.
Please see the Microsoft Teams link for the Change of Command
The parade program with the biographies of the Reviewing Officer (Col Smith), incoming CO, and outgoing CO is attached.
CHIMO!
105 years ago, the No. 2 Construction Battalion (also known as the Black Battalion) was formed in Pictou, Nova Scotia. Join us on Saturday July 10th, as we honour the service and perseverance of the No. 2 in a virtual commemoration ceremony hosted by the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia.
July 10, 2021 – 11 am (Atlantic) online: www.no2-cef.ca
On the 18th of June 2003, under the Command of LGen (Ret’d) CT Whitecross, 1 Construction Engineering Unit (1 CEU) was redesignated as 1 Engineer Support Unit (1 ESU) by the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, VAdm GR Maddison. On that day the long history of 1 CEU and the legacy of the Construction and Maintenance Units (CMU) that preceded it was transferred to 1 ESU. Along with the legacy of excellence, the 1 CEU Heraldic Crest, which was officially endorsed in her own hand by…
Afghanistan Interpreters in Fear
When Canadian troops served in Afghanistan, they didn't do it alone, Afghan interpreters served by their side, they helped connect soldiers with local leaders and build trust. They risked their lives to do that work. Now, with the United States and other NATO allies withdrawing their soldiers, the translators are feeling more vulnerable than ever. The Taliban know who they are and they're hunting them down. Advocates for the translators…
