Letters to my Parents from 60 years ago
In short, as a young officer cadet at CMR, I wrote more than sixty letters to my parents throughout my Preparatory Year. My mother kept the lot of them in numbered sequence. Then, after she passed away several years ago, my sister in Vancouver mailed them back to me. Upon opening the small box of hand written letters just recently and reading many, I was struck that these notes, which describe college life and the recruits’ experience in some detail, might be of interest to younger generations of cadets for comparative purposes and to older generations for sheer nostalgia.
Letters to my Parents from 60 years ago
By way of introduction, I entered College Militaire Royale in September 1963, almost exactly sixty years ago. In short, as a young officer cadet at CMR, I wrote more than sixty letters to my parents throughout my Preparatory Year. My mother kept the lot of them in numbered sequence. Then, after she passed away several…
Letters to my Parents from 60 Years Ago – Part 2
Drill is a formal course but it cannot be called interesting or enjoyable, only hard work. But, I don’t mind it because I know I have a lot to learn. Sports are getting tough right now because we are getting instruction in football, soccer and track and field. The football instruction involves some of the most sadistically devised exercises. The worst was tackling this great big dummy. It would not move unless you nearly killed yourself leaping at it. Soccer isn’t quite as bad, but it’s still no fun. The worst however is the track and field. We have instruction in sprinting, hurdles, high jump, broad jump, hop, skip & jump, shot put, discus, javelin and cross-country. Most aren’t too bad and some are even fun, especially the javelin. The cross-country is the worst. We have to run over three miles in this event and you can imagine what it’s like — puff-puff!!! At least I don’t collapse, only just about.
Letters to my Parents from 60 years ago
Photo caption: The following was taken during an early raid on Maisonneuve Squadron. The assembled raiders from Champlain Squadron are: C.V.A. Colin Browne, D.W. Brady (I am not certain after sixty years!), J.F. John Clayton and T.S. Terry McCoy. By way of introduction, I entered College Militaire Royale in September 1963, almost exactly sixty years…
New Ex-Cadet Book: “Scars and Black Armor” by 28568 Liam Chambers
28568 Liam Chambers received his English degree from RMC in 2020 and is a former eVeritas correspondent. He is a Royal Canadian Air Force Officer based out of Shearwater, Nova Scotia. You can find him trail running, reading, or on the mats practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Father to an energetic two-year-old, Liam is a fitness…
Mike Shewfelt – “The Phaireoir Legacy” – Final Chapter
A year ago, e-Veritas ran a four part series featuring the writing of 25366 Mike Shewfelt, whose fantasy novel “The Phaireoir Legacy” tells the story of College Cadet Jim Carmichael, and his journey on horseback from Kingston to Calgary and beyond. A publisher for the novel is currently being sought. Read the first eleven…
“It wasn’t afraid of the water…” Jim realized, on the verge of panic. “It just can’t swim.”
A year ago, e-Veritas ran a four part series featuring the writing of 25366 Mike Shewfelt, whose fantasy novel “The Phaireoir Legacy” tells the story of College Cadet Jim Carmichael, and his journey on horseback from Kingston to Calgary and beyond. Now that Mike is back in Kingston, we’re picking up where we left off.…
“He pressed on through the days, through the pain, driven by the knowledge that if he was caught deep in the bush when the snow fell, he would be dead.”
A year ago, e-Veritas ran a four part series featuring the writing of 25366 Mike Shewfelt, whose fantasy novel “The Phaireoir Legacy” tells the story of College Cadet Jim Carmichael, and his journey on horseback from Kingston to Calgary and beyond. Now that Mike is back in Kingston, we’re picking up where we left off.…
“By the light of the fire he inspected the wound. It was vicious and deep, a long red tear in the horse’s underbelly.”
A year ago, e-Veritas ran a four part series featuring the writing of 25366 Mike Shewfelt, whose fantasy novel “The Phaireoir Legacy” tells the story of College Cadet Jim Carmichael, and his journey on horseback from Kingston to Calgary and beyond. Now that Mike is back in Kingston, we’re picking up where we left off.…
“And then it was there, the shadow in his heart, the anxiety now turned to horror, full and terrifying…”
A year ago, e-Veritas ran a four part series featuring the writing of 25366 Mike Shewfelt, whose fantasy novel “The Phaireoir Legacy” tells the story of College Cadet Jim Carmichael, and his journey on horseback from Kingston to Calgary and beyond. Now that Mike is back in Kingston, we’re picking up where we left off.…
They piled into the RCMP truck, sirens blaring and gravel spinning as they sped out of the parking lot.
A year ago, e-Veritas ran a four part series featuring the writing of 25366 Mike Shewfelt, whose fantasy novel “The Phaireoir Legacy” tells the story of College Cadet Jim Carmichael, and his journey on horseback from Kingston to Calgary and beyond. Now that Mike is back in Kingston, we’re picking up where we left off.…
The Phaireoir Legacy, Part 6
A year ago, e-Veritas ran a four part series featuring the writing of 25366 Mike Shewfelt, whose fantasy novel “The Phaireoir Legacy” tells the story of College Cadet Jim Carmichael, and his journey on horseback from Kingston to Calgary and beyond. Now that Mike is back in Kingston, we’re picking up where we left off.…