RCASC Western Association Millennium (2000) Reunion Report The RCASC Western Association 17th Annual Reunion was held at Calgary, Alberta 18-19-20 August 2000, and all attendees considered it a great success. Members came from as far east as Thunder Bay, with all the Prairie Provinces being well represented, and as far West as Victoria, British Columbia. They came by plane, camper vans, vehicles towing tent trailers, and with tents; they were readily accommodated at The Days Inn Hotel, 16th Ave at 19th Street NW, in addition the 264 Legion provided parking spaces to accommodate the motorhomes, while others enjoyed the camping in the various campgrounds around the Calgary Area. All major events for the Reunion took place at the 264 Legion, Kensington Rd NW. The Meet and Greet, was held on the evening of Friday 19 August 2000, with 200 memebers in attendence. A lot of Corps history and personal stories, covering the last 50 years or more, were traded and as the evening wore on the tales became nicely embellished with the intake of some fine Cool Aid(?). A fine array of finger foods was provided to top off the evening. Saturday morning arrived blessing us with a beautiful hot, sunny day and a hardy group of 24 golfers who arrived at the Buffalo Run Golf Course and enjoyed a fine tournament. Non-golfers enjoyed visits to the Museum of the Regiments and/or participated in boosting the Calgary economy by visiting the Malls. The Annual General Meeting was held with 65 members in attendance. Of those 55 signified their intentions to attend the Corps Anniversary celebrations at Camp Borden in May 2000. We are hoping this ratio will be maintained throughout the total members of the Western Association. At this time approval was given to the President to forward two thousand dollars ($2,000.00) to the National , and these funds are to be used solely for Waggoneers Park and the book, The Last Waggon. The funds were to be forwarded by installments of $1,000.00 in September 2000 and $1,000.00 to be forwarded 1 May 2001. (The funds were sent 10 September 2000 by two cheques, one being postdated for 1 May 2001). In addition the Western Association has a wooden waggon piggy-bank which was placed at the head table and all members were requested to toss some change into it. This year the waggon was loaded with the amount of $147.05, which was also forwarded on 10 September 2000.) The members then got down to Association business. They decided that the President is to serve a two year term, regardless of where the reunions may be held. In addition they decided that the person designated to organize the next reunion would be named Vice-President for the year of the reunion. As a result of these decisions, Gord Kube has been named President for the next two years and Wayne Donner has been named Vice-President. The year 2001 being the 100th Anniversary of the Corps with celebrations being held in Camp Borden, the Western Association will not hold a reunion in that year, however our next reunion will be held in September 2002 at Medicine Hat, Alberta. Exact dates will be announced in due course. A busy Saturday was crowned by a gala dinner-dance attended by 176 members. Following the dinner , which was served by the catering staff of 264 Legion, the guest speaker, Col (Ret) Bill Fletcher entertained us with some very interesting stories. We then danced the evening away. On Sunday we were blessed with a beautiful morning for the Memorial Service, Parade and March Past followed by a Wreath Laying Ceremony. The Memorial Service was conducted by Padre Long, the troops were formed up by the parade CSM, Tom Durbin. The parade was then handed over to the Parade Commander, Ernie Ormon. The Inspecting Officer was Col (Ret) Bill Fletcher. Following the Inspection the parade marched past in column of route to the Corps March Past, Wait for the Waggon. The parade reformed in front of the dais and the Wreath Laying Ceremony followed with John Glockler laying the Wreath on behalf of the National, Gord Kube laid the Wreath on behalf of the Western Association and our Patron, Al Hunt laid the Patrons Wreath on behalf of all members of the Corps. After the parade was dismissed, there were a few tears shed as members stated that they grew tall once again being on parade but hearing the March Past was a real heart thrill. A Brunch was then served and all members were wished a Bon Voyage with a, "We'll see you in Borden in May 2001". On a closing note we wish to advise all members about our kit shop. It offers many Corps related items and anyone desiring to purchase any of these items may contact Tom Durbin at RCASCWEST@accesscomm.ca or at his mailing address as shown in the Western Association Executive page. We are presently in the process of obtaining a new golf shirt with the Corps Crest and we are also looking into re-designing the jacket that was on display at the reunion, with more subdued colours and with a good RCASC Crest. Stay tuned.