Article submitted by 9318 Dave Bindernagel RRMC RMC 1972, President VIECC
Photo Credit: Homecoming 2025 at Royal Roads University Arnold Lim
Thirty years ago, the last cadets marched off the parade square at Royal Roads Military College, and the doors to the college were closed. Over those 30 years Royal Roads University has developed and strengthened a mutually beneficial relationships with ex cadets, working with them to restore and retain the military heritage of Royal Roads. The Homecoming celebrations at Royal Roads on 13-14 September demonstrated vividly the motto of this year’s Homecoming, “Celebrating 85 Years of Royal Roads History”.
Prior to the main Homecoming events many of the classes started the weekend by meeting on Friday at several of the local establishments to reconnect and enjoy the history which they created both at Royal Roads and during their time spent in their military and civilian careers.
At Homecoming, ex cadets from the 1950s to the last class of 1995, as well as staff from RRMC, joined together to reconnect, reminisce, tell stories, relive their time spent at Royal Roads and make new memories. It was an incredible turnout, with over 230 ex cadets and guests attending the Welcome Reception on Saturday afternoon and a near capacity for the dinner on the iconic Quarterdeck on Saturday evening.
At the reception Rebecca Sharma, Director of Advancement and Alumni Relations, welcomed everyone to Royal Roads, noting the importance of the ex-cadets to RRU, its history and success. The 1st VP of the Vancouver Island Ex Cadet Club (VIECC), 19949 Dave Awalt, reiterated the special relationship which exists between the ex-cadets and RRU, specifically highlighting the tremendous support provided by RRU to Homecoming. And 11165 Hugh “Zeus” Wilzewski described the incredible work done by the Military Heritage Committee since its inception in 2008; noting many of the significant heritage projects which have been completed, particularly the recent return of the Senate table and 20 chairs, which RRU refurbished and have given a new home in the Castle.
On Saturday as well, the 120 ex cadets and guests who took the tours of the campus and the rooms in Nixon and Milward Blocks were given the opportunity to revisit some of those incredible areas where they spent much of their time as cadets. Thanks to the RRU staff, Andrea Proske, Jen Smith, Sarah Foreman, and Felix Gao, as well as 11907 Vince Kreiser, 16944 Doris Berscheid-King, 20031 Kael Rennie, and 19949 Dave Awalt for guiding these tours.
At the dinner on Saturday evening, RRU President and Vice Chancellor, Dr. Philip Steenkamp spoke highly of the contribution ex cadets have made to Canada and re-emphasized how important the relationship with ex cadets is to him and to RRU. He outlined some of the work being done by RRU to become an even more reputable and life-changing university in Canada. It was an incredible dinner, full of shared stories and delicious food. To honour the new King, the over 200 attendees rose and sang God Save the King.
On Sunday morning the ex-cadets and guests attended the mast site ceremony beside the former Director of Cadets/Vice Commandant’s house: this is where the HMCS Royal Roads Mast, which was in front of the Castle, was relocated in 2008. It is also the location of the paver stones, some 1350 having been installed since the project began in 2010. It was a special time to reflect on the success of this project, coordinated by the Military Heritage Committee; having raised almost $275K, through 929 donors. The success of this project, which is now completed, was due to the incredible work of several individuals whose leadership and inspiration were instrumental in generating such a successful project: 3334 Dave Wightman; 3237 Dr. John Mothersill, the last Principal at RRMC; 10277 John “Lumpy” Miller who unfortunately passed away prior to Homecoming; Paul Longtin, former RRU Alumni Coordinator, and Vivianne Jefferis, RRU Operations Manager. Vivianne gave a heart-felt review of the paver stone project, and she deserves much credit for the project’s overall success.
The significance of meeting at the mast site is noted on the dedication plaque: “This Plaza and surrounding area are dedicated to all those who trained or served at Royal Roads between 1940-1995.” It is a very special site for remembering, for acknowledging the importance of traditions, and for recognizing the military history of Royal Roads. The paver stones provide a visual truth to that history.
At the ceremony, President Steenkamp thanked everyone for coming to this significant ceremony, noting the remarkable achievement of the pavestone project. The President of the VIECC, 9318 Dave Bindernagel, introduced the senior cadet in attendance, 4104 Murray Thom, a former Registrar at Royal Roads Military College from 1983-91. He also recognized each of the special classes who attend the 2025 Homecoming, especially the classes who entered or graduated in 1985, 18 ex cadets and 12 ex cadets respectively. Of course, the last class to graduate or leave RRMC in 1995 had 40 ex cadets in attendance, a remarkable turnout. In his brief remarks he commented on the importance of the ceremony and introduced Padre Al Fowler, RRMC chaplain from 1990-93 and the current VIECC Padre.
Though the site was dedicated in 2010, an annual blessing has been given as a reminder of its importance and to wish for continued opportunities to meet old friends at this site each year. Padre Al provided an eloquent, poignant, and inspirational message on the reason ex cadets meet each year at Homecoming and at the mast site, and then he blessed the site.
All ex-cadets and guests then proceeded from the mast site to the front of the Castle, led by the 78th Fraser Highlanders under the direction of Gary Louis. At the Castle all ex-cadets were mustered, formed into approximately 3 ranks and under the command of 20007 Matt Bowen, class of 1995, did the traditional walk around the memorable “circle” led by the pipes and drums. Once dismissed back in front of the Castle, most proceeded to the Quarterdeck for the farewell lunch.
The class of 1995 gathered together for a Memorial Bench dedication ceremony near the Italian gardens to pay tribute to two of their fallen classmates: 20054 Captain Juli-Ann McKenzie who lost her life in a CH-146 Griffon crash on 18 July 2002 in Goose Bay while conducting a SAR mission, and 20052 Captain Miles Selby who lost his life in a CT-114 Tutor crash on 10 December 2004 while practicing a winter routine with the Snowbirds near Moose Jaw. . Family and friends of Miles and Juli-Ann were present for this tribute to these two remarkable ex cadets. The RCAF honoured them with a fly pass at 1400 by a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter based in 443 Squadron, Pat Bay and 2 CF-18s based in 410 Squadron, Cold Lake.
At the farewell gathering 6216 Willy Anderson, VIECC Event Coordinator, using his now familiar bosun’s pipe/whistle, summarized the incredible Homecoming weekend by providing an eloquent toast to the ex-cadets and their guests and to RRU. It should be noted that the Homecoming weekend would not have been the success it was without the dedicated leadership of the chair of the Homecoming Working Group, Andrea Proske, RRU Alumni Manager, and through the dedicated collaboration of the members of the Working Group, which included 13 ex-cadets and RRU staff.
This article would not be complete without noting one other emotional aspect: following the fly pass, a Celebration of Life was held to honour and remember 10277 John “Lumpy” Miller who passed away on 01 August. Surrounded by family and friends in the drawing room in the Castle, Christine and the family heard wonderful stories, shared memories, and many tributes to John’s incredible life: a cadet, a naval officer, a loving husband and father, a kind and empathetic man of faith.
He will be deeply and forever missed by Christine, Emily, Natalie and Justin and their partners Joe, Cole and Maddy-Lise and all who had the privilege of knowing him. He will certainly always be remembered for his tireless and passionate contributions to respecting the history of Royal Roads.
9318 Dave Bindernagel
President VIECC