President’s Message March 2023
March 6, 2023
RCMP VETERANS’ ASSOCIATION – VANCOUVER DIVISION
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE MARCH 2023
NEXT GENERAL MEETING – MARCH 16, 2023
The next General Meeting is being held on Thursday, March 16, 2023, at Hazelmere Golf & Tennis Club, 18150 8 Avenue, Surrey B.C. Doors open at 11:00 a.m. with a buffet lunch being served at 12 noon. The cost for lunch is $40.00.
Pre-payment by Interac e-Transfer or cash only at the door.
Attendance by Reservation Only
Contact Dorothy Martinson, Veterans’ Social Director, (604) 261-4630 or demartinson@shaw.ca no later than Monday, March 13, 2023.
NOTE: To pay through Interac e-Transfer, log into your financial institution’s online or mobile banking and navigate to Interac e–Transfer. Select the account you would like funds transferred from. Fill out the email address for the Vancouver Division which is rcmpvetsvan@shaw.ca. Also add in the comments ‘March 16, 2023, Luncheon’. If your financial institution requires a contact name, use RCMP Vets Vancouver.
We are still finalizing a guest speaker for this meeting. Members and guests are welcome to attend.
Next weekend, we spring forward into Daylight Savings Time and soon after the Spring solstice arrives. Winter – Be Gone!
The North-West Mounted Police was created on May 23, 1873 and this year, the 150thanniversary will be celebrated in many forms across the country. The RCMPVA Annual General Meeting will be hosted by Ottawa Division, May 25-28. The full details of the event can be found on the AGM website: AGM 2023. One of the highlights of the event will be a full Regimental Ball on Saturday, May 27. The AGM website has links to discounted airfares through WestJet and lodging at the Delta Hotel Ottawa City Centre as well as the agenda for attendees and spouses. For you challenge coin collectors, check the AGM website for their coin.
One of the 150th anniversary projects by group of Veterans from across the country is nearing completion. This group has been working diligently to recognize the only member of the RCMP to have been awarded The Cross of Valour, Canada’s highest award for bravery. Cpl. Robert Gordon Teather (1947-2004) saved the lives of two fishermen who were trapped under the hull of their capsized boat at the mouth of the Fraser River. Two plaques, one at Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa and one at Depot Division in Regina, will be erected to honour Cpl. Teather. The unveiling at Beechwood has tentatively been set for May 23. The Friends of the Mounted Police in Regina will also be setting a brick on the Princess Walkway at the Heritage Centre in his honour. Many of you will remember Bob from his service at Surrey Detachment and on the “E” Division Underwater Recovery Team. For further information on Cpl. Teather and the rescue, please click on the Wikipedia link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Gordon_Teather
Locally, the RCMP Musical Ride will be performing in the Lower Mainland in the latter part of June. Vancouver Division has been asked by Surrey Detachment to assist at the performances planned for Surrey on June 24 & 25. We would welcome any members of the Division who served with the Musical Ride to volunteer your assistance. We also hope to have a Vancouver Division social outing in conjunction with one of the performances. We will keep you apprised as the planning moves forward on this event.
For various reasons, our annual Veterans golf tournament fell by the wayside a few years ago. Our late comrade, Bill Duckworth, was a key organizer of this annual event. As many of you know, a lot of effort goes into putting together a golf tournament and it is likely too late to attempt revival for this year. If the interest is there, however, we may be able to book a block of tee times at one of the local courses to get together. If you are interested in exploring this, please send me a note at: rimorse021@gmail.com. If you are interested in helping to organize a Veterans golf tournament for 2024, please let me know.
How many of you still have your old Mess pin or card? Heather Stables, the ”E” Division NCOs Mess, has been around for as long as I can remember. From the location on SW Marine Drive, to the basement of Fairmont, to its present location at EHQ, members have gathered there to socialize. Each year, with the exception of the Covid years, the Officers & NCOs Messes host a Levee at the Mess that is usually well represented by our Veterans. Let’s not forget that the Mess is open on most Thursday afternoons from 4:00 pm. Would a monthly Mess night, say the last Thursday of the month, work for the Veterans? Just a thought!
We welcome the following new members to Vancouver Division:
34527 John LASEUR
34546 Wayne BLOOMQUIST
45024 Victor LOUIE
30708 Kenneth (Kim) MARSH
The Division will be launching a new quarterly newsletter later this year. Thanks to Veteran Dave Reece who has agreed to take on the project. More info will be forthcoming on this. In the meantime, think about what you would like to see as content.
Check our National website: RCMP Veteran’s Association / Association des Vétéran de la GRC (rcmpva.org) and our Division website: RCMP Veterans’ Association – Vancouver Division (rcmpveteransvancouver.com) for regular updates. Bulletins are sent directly to you from National to the email address on file. Important changes are coming later this year to the Public Service Health Care (PSHC) Plan and a change in the service administrator (Canada Life will administer the plan).
Finally, the following was “borrowed” from our CAO. It really sums up what the Veterans Association is all about. Take care and we hope to see you at the March meeting.
Ron
Who we are.
Our Association is a network of former RCMP employees who are dedicated to retaining our strong ties forged in the Force, investing in each other to maintain and expand a coordinated network of mutual support for today, tomorrow, and always.
What we do.
Our primary role is to provide a network of support for one another. This aligns with our Mission “To be responsive to the physical, psychological, social and economic welfare of all former employees of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and their families.”
Transitioning together
The move to our life after the RCMP, comes with questions. The Association membership can provide as little or as much support as needed.
Join the Association Today!
Be part of our network of support and advocacy. You will be joining thousands of former RCMP employees whose service to the RCMP and to Canada is valued and unique. Together we are committed to supporting and advocating for all of those who have served.
