Hello brother Apprentices. Well another reunion has come and gone. While not having the significance of the 50th Anniversary our latest reunion was just as memorable with many first time attendees and great memories recounted. For me of course one of the highlights has to be being elected your President for the next three years. While I have been a part of the executive and reunions over the past 10 years I fully recognize this new responsibility you have bestowed upon me. I have some big shoes to fill considering the abilities and talents of Past Presidents. I too am indeed honoured by your faith in me and I promise to perform the duties of the president to the best of my ability and work to justify that faith.
The focal point of this reunion was the unveiling and dedication of the monument erected to remind everyone of the contribution the Soldier Apprentices' made to Camp Borden and to the Corps. Instrumental in the inception of the plan, its development, the fundraising and the coming to fruition of the monument was the dedicated team of Guy Gaudreault, Bill Beagan and Ray Sturgeon. Congratulations also must go to Paul Dorion who oversaw the installation and ensured the accurate representation of the RCASC Soldier Apprentice in stone.
The dedication ceremony followed the parade and service at the cenotaph and was well attended, with the Base Commander, Col. Stewart Moore and the Commandant of CFSAL LCol. Yvan Morin taking part. Our own minister the Reverend Art Turnbull of 12 Platoon conducted the dedication service and blessed the ground on which our monument stands.
As always the general meeting was lively and generated considerable discussion on a number of topics. The new executive has a number of issues to address over the next three years. One of the major items to be brought forward for the next reunion is the issue of the addition of the names to the Apprentice Monument. A committee will be struck and tasked with assessing all aspects of the issue, the acceptance of the proposal, the standards by which a name is included, and last but not least how best to display or mount the names. I am sure that this will be a topic of keen interest to all.
Another item that came up in a more subtle way during the course of the weekend is an item of our constitution that has not drawn a lot of attention. That is the establishment of a trust fund, essentially allowing members to attend our reunions who for various reasons would not otherwise be able to attend. We have already received our first contribution towards the fund and considerable interest was indicated by other members in attendance. I will be addressing the issue in an upcoming newsletter.
Again the 110 attendees were treated royally by all the staff at CFB Borden and especially the members of the Canadian Forces School of Administration and Logistics (CFSAL).
As past Presidents before me, I too will be actively seeking to further add more new names to our membership rolls. Regrettably, the task is getting more difficult; as we age our list of Advance Party membership exceeds our new enrollees. To that end I call on every one of our active members to spread the word of our Association. I further urge you to start planning now for Exercise Greenflash 2009 to be held hopefully in "Camp Borden" in 2009. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible then.
For more information or if you wish to join this fine association, please send an e-mail to me tfirman@rogers.com; our Secretary/Treasurer Marc Gervais at marcgervais@rogers.com or contact the webmaster on the RCASC home Page.
Terry Firman
President
ps: Don't forget to sign in and add an entry to our Guest Book
