Ex-Cadets in the News
On June 15, 2008, 11712 Vice-Admiral Drew W Robertson OMM, MSM, CD (CMR RMC ‘78), Chief of the Maritime Staff, represented the Canadian Forces at a Ceremony of Remembrance held in Ottawa for the 55th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. The service began at the Monument to Canadian Fallen in Korea on an escarpment overlooking Confederation Park, then moved up to Confederation Square at the site of the National War Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The event commenced with the Last Post. The Padre, Bradley Hicks delivered prayers. The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Soo Dong Kim; Minister of Veterans Affairs, The Honourable Greg Thompson; several members of the Diplomatic corps; and Veterans organization placed wreaths in tribute to Korean War Fallen at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. The Parade marshal, Maj (ret’d) William J. “Bill” Berry, organized veterans prior to inspection by VAC Minister Greg Thompson and His Excellency Kim Soo-dong, the Republic of Korea’s Ambassador to Canada. While the Korean War Armistice was signed on July 27, 1953, the ceremony was held to coincide and amalgamate with the traditional Korean Veteran’s Association Canada Republic of Korea ceremonies that are held annually in Ottawa in mid-June. VAC Minister Greg Thompson and a delegation of Canada’s Korean War Veterans will celebrate the Korean War Armistice on July 27 in Korea.
Source: Korea Vet News
More Ex cadets in the news… 12966 Brigadier-Gen Marquis J.M.M. Hainse; 13873 Major General Daniel Gosselin (RMC ‘84) (twice); 13275 Capt(N) Alexander AFG Rueben, CMS (RRMC RMC ’81); 20184 Major Louis Lapointe M.M.V., M.S.M., C.D. (CMR RMC ‘96); 21053 Ms Crystal CAM Daschuk (CMR ’93); 22214 Captain Nils French (RMC ’02); 22092 Capt. Marco Rusconi (RMC ’01); 23072 Captain Dennie G Bourque (RMC ‘05); 13337 MGen Stuart Beare (CMR RMC ’83); 13072 MGen Daniel Benjamin (RMC ’81); 11919 Vice-Admiral P.D. McFadden (RRMC ’78); 12141 Rear-Admiral Bryn Weadon (CMR ’79); 11741 Captain(N) S.C. Bertrand, (RMC ’78); 10920 Colonel D.C. Burt, (RMC ’76); 11287 Lieutenant-Colonel R.S. Martinell, (CMR ’77); 12581 Lieutenant-Colonel D.A. Mason, (RMC ’80); 12231 Colonel J.B. Roeterink, (RMC ’79); 13329 Lieutenant-Colonel D.A. Rundle, (CMR ’82); 15185 Captain(N) W.S. Truelove, (RRMC ’85); 2444 RAdm (Ret’d) John A Charles (RMC 1935).
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The Kingston Conference on International Security was held at the FourPoints Sheraton Hotel on June 17-19, 2008. The conference was sponsored by the Queen’s Centre for International Relations, The U-S Army War College and the Land Force Doctrine and Training System of the Canadian Forces. Discussions centred on the topic of the conference…Wars Without Borders. Several of the participants have ties to military colleges : 12966 Brigadier-Gen Marquis J.M.M. Hainse, Commander, LFDTS, Canadian Forces(CMR ‘82) presented “Understanding the New Wars: An Afghan Case Study” and hosted the meet and greet.
Wendy Gilmour, Currently McNaughton-Vanier Visitor, Royal Military College of Canada chaired the Africa Experience panel. 13873 Major General Daniel Gosselin (RMC ‘84),Canadian Defence Academy, Canadian Forces who holds graduate degrees in structural engineering, and war studies (both at RMC Kingston) chaired the Adjusting to the New Conflicts panel. Source:
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13275 Capt(N) Alexander AFG Rueben, CMS (RRMC RMC ’81) was selected for a Management of Human Resource Awards 2008 in the leadership category. He was commended for his outstanding leadership in human resources planning and renewal. He was further congratulated for creating best practices in succession planning and instituting innovations that have significantly improved workplace morale as well as health and safety within the Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Breton and Maritime Forces Pacific.
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20184 Major Louis Lapointe M.M.V., M.S.M., C.D. (CMR RMC ‘96) is a receipient of the Medal of Military Valour. On September 25, 2007, Major Lapointe demonstrated remarkable leadership and courage. He inspired his troops, as well as the members of the Afghan National Police under his command, by quickly forming an ad hoc intervention force to counter a well-coordinated ambush by insurgent forces. Maj Lapointe entered CMR St-Jean in 1991 and moved to Kingston in the fall of 1995 after the closure of St-Jean. He graduated from RMC in 1996. Maj Lapointe is currently Cmdt Cie B, 1R22eR in Courcelette, Quebec.
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21053 Ms Crystal CAM Daschuk (CMR ’93) was awarded a Trans Canada North Leadership award to enter the first year of a three-year Bachelor of Laws program at the University of Saskatchewan in 2004/5. She volunteers with the Elizabeth Fry Society. crystal.daschuk@usask.ca
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22214 Captain Nils French (RMC ’02), Canadian Military Engineers, is currently stationed at the U.S. Army Engineer School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where he was recently recognized as the school’s Instructor of the Year. Captain French graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada in 2002 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He is currently completing a Masters of Military Studies in Unconventional Warfare from American Military University. Over the past year, Captain French has published work with the Pearson Peacekeeping Centre, the Canadian Army Journal, and the US Army Engineer Professional Bulletin. He has also presented at symposiums of the Conference of Defence Associations Institute, the International Studies Association, and the Canadian Institute for International Affairs. His research interests include counterinsurgency and contemporary conflict. He wrote “Learning from the Seven Soviet Wars: Lessons for Canada in Afghanistan” The Canadian Army Journal, Winter 2008.
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22092 Capt. Marco Rusconi (RMC ’01) is one of the 11 pilots in the Canadian Forces’ 431 Air Demonstration Squadron aerobatic team who performed on June 19th, 2008 in the “Snowbirds Over Kingston: Celebrating Our Community” show. A Victoria native who graduated from Kingston’s Royal Military College in 2001, Rusconi said his sense of patriotism and love of flying made him want to become a Snowbird. “I’m very proud to wear the Canadian flag on my shoulder,” he said. “I love flying airplanes and I love sharing what I love doing most with the rest of the world.” Snowbirds Public Affairs Officer 21970 Captain Jennifer Jones (RMC ‘01) said expenses are always an issue, but the Snowbirds currently have no plans to stop flying and performing. “For the moment we are performing, and it’s all planned for,” she said. “The decision as to the future of the Snowbirds is up to the government and the National Defence headquarters.”
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23072 Captain Dennie G Bourque (RMC ‘05) was a recipient of a Meritorious Service Medal (Military Division. Captain Bourque, then Lieutenant, was deployed as a forward observation officer and air controller with the Operational Mentor Liaison Team, in Afghanistan. From October 29 to November 3, 2007, during a complex and demanding combat operation, he worked well beyond his rank and experience, expertly coordinating aircraft and artillery fire, and minimizing collateral damage alongside the Afghan National Army. His skill allowed for the disruption of insurgent operations, and directly contributed to safeguarding the lives of Canadian and Afghan soldiers. Capt. Dennie Bourque is ADC CCmdt 5 GMBC in Courcelette, Quebec.
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13873 MGen Daniel Gosselin (RMC ’84) was promoted within the order of Military Merit to Commander. He is Commander, Canadian Defence Academy Headquarters in Kingston, Ont. His education includes graduate degrees in structural engineering, and war studies (both at RMC Kingston). His various assignments included: Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering at the Royal Military College.
13337 MGen Stuart Beare (CMR RMC ’83) was appointed Commander to the Order of Military Merit . He is Commander, Land Force Doctrine and Training System in Kingston, Ont. He enrolled in the Canadian Forces in June 1978. He began his career at Collège Militaire Royal in St-Jean, Quebec, moved to the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, and graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in 1983.
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13072 MGen Daniel Benjamin (RMC ’81) was promoted within the order of Military Merit to Commander. He is Commander, Canadian Operational Support Command/National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa, Ont. He enrolled in the Canadian Forces in 1976. He graduated from the Royal Military College in Kingston in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and then started his career as a military engineer.
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11919 Vice-Admiral P.D. McFadden (RRMC ’78) was appointed Commander to the Order of Military Merit. He was promoted Vice-Admiral and assigned as Commander, Canada Command from June 2008. He joined the Canadian Pacific Fleet in 1978 upon completion of studies in Physics and Physical Oceanography at Royal Roads Military College.
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12141 Rear-Admiral Bryn Weadon (CMR ’79) was appointed Commander to the Order of Military Merit. He is Assistant Deputy-Minister (Finance and Corporate Services), National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa, Ont. He enrolled at the Collège Militaire Royal de Saint-Jean in 1974 and graduated with a degree in Business Administration in 1979.
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Order of Military Merit
OFFICERS
11741 Captain(N) S.C. Bertrand, O.M.M, C.D. (RMC ’78)
National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa, Ont.
10920 Colonel D.C. Burt, O.M.M., C.D. (RMC ’76)
National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa, Ont.
11287 Lieutenant-Colonel R.S. Martinell, O.M.M., C.D. (CMR ’77)
Canadian Forces Support Training Group, Borden, Ont.
12581 Lieutenant-Colonel D.A. Mason, O.M.M., C.D. (RMC ’80)
1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters, Winnipeg, Man.
12231 Colonel J.B. Roeterink, O.M.M., C.D. (RMC ’79)
Headquarters, Supreme Allied Command Transformation, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.A.
13329 Lieutenant-Colonel D.A. Rundle, O.M.M., C.D. (CMR ’82)
Canadian Forces Base, Petawawa, Ont.
15185 Captain(N) W.S. Truelove, O.M.M., C.D. (RRMC ’85)
Fourth Maritime Operations Group Headquarters, Victoria, B.C.___________________________________
2444 RAdm (Ret’d) John A Charles (RMC 1935) was awarded an honorary degree at Royal Roads University in 2008. He served as Commandant of Canadian Services College, Royal Roads from 1954 to 1957 and, years later, founded the Friends of Hatley Park Society, a group of volunteers who now work with Royal Roads University to preserve the grounds and gardens. Born in Rouleau, Saskatchewan on March 27, 1918, Charles joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1937. At the start of World War II, he was a mid-shipman on HMS Berwick, which patrolled northern waters and performed Norwegian operations. In the fall of 1940, he joined HMCS Restigouche for convoy duty as part of the Clyde Escort Force and, in 1942, HMS Laforey for operations in the Mediterranean, North Africa, Sicily, Salerno and Anzio. Charles returned to Canada in 1944 for staff signal duties at St. Hyacinthe, Esquimalt and Washington, DC, before taking command of HMCS Crescent on January 1, 1948. He completed Royal Navy and Joint Services Staff courses and joined HMCS Magnificent before his appointment as Director of Naval Communications. On October 29, 1953, Charles took command of HMCS Haida and then became Commander Canadian Destroyer Far East and was promoted to Captain. It was upon his return to British Columbia that he served at Royal Roads before heading back to Ottawa to become Director of Naval Operations and, later, returning to Esquimalt as Commander, 2nd Escort Squadron. Charles has served as Commodore of the Royal Canadian Navy Barracks; Assistant Chief of Naval Staff at National Defence Headquarters in Ontario; Rear Admiral, Maritime
Force Commander Pacific; Assistant, Canadian Defence Staff Plans; and Chief of Maritime Operations. He retired from the post of Deputy Chief of Defence Staff in 1974. Charles is a notable graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada, class of 1935, and received the Order of Military Merit (CMM) and the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) as well as having been Mentioned in Despatches (MID).