Manitoba HKVA President’s Report
Manitoba HKVCA Regional Director
Manitoba HKVCA Treasurer & Membership
Change of The Winnipeg Grenadiers Cap Badge Design
Manitoba HKVA President’s Report
- George Peterson
June 11th Vince, Stan Lopata and I attended the unveiling of the Viet Nam Veterans Association Memorial Wall at the Anavets Club 60 on Garry St. in Winnipeg. The wall was built with five panels that can be folded together and is movable. It is very impressive. I made a donation the VNV to help pay for it.
June 14th Joint Veterans Council (JVC) parade meeting which Juliet and I attended.
June 15th attended our Memorial Project meeting where we met with a lawyer who has agreed to work with us on the project. His first advice to us was to apply for a tax license instead of using the HKVCA. This we plan on doing as soon as we are incorporated but I will report more on this later.
June 18th was unable to attend the HKVCA meeting.
July 1st went to the cottage at Falcon Lake and did not return until July 24th. I went fishing quite a number of times but caught zilch. I had a good time and enjoyed the time off.
July 25th went to see a specialist re my knees and was told my right one would have to be rebuilt. In all probability my left one also will also – will find out more September 27th.
July 29th celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary with our family at Niakwa Golf & Country Club bistro then returned to the cottage the next day.
July 31st we were entertaining a few neighbours on our dock at the lake when I fell off and tried to smash a rock with my head. I lost! Ended up at Kenora emergency where 7 stitches were put in my forehead from my eyebrow to my hairline. I didn’t even have the excuse of having one too many as I had only started on my 2nd drink.
Aug 9th had the stitches removed by my doctor and received his OK to go to Ottawa. Of course I didn’t tell him my head was still numb and it’s not much better now after four weeks. Tylenol 3 is a pretty good pain reliever.
August 11 took 10 AM flight to Ottawa. Juliet was my caregiver. What a fantastic time we spent there, the only thing not paid for by VAC was Juliet’s room – no I wouldn’t share my room with her. All Far East veterans and their care givers were wined, dined and more or less handed the keys to the city while there. I represented the Canadian Army at the Memorial Service by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial on Sunday. We went to Rideau Hall and met the Governor General and her husband. I did not think that I would live long enough to finally receive the recognition and respect that was shown to us at long last by our government in Ottawa. My only question – why did it take so long. It was all very much appreciated by all HKV’s that I spoke to after the ceremonies. We also received an electric clock from our HKVCA, a plaque and a John McRae golf plated medal from VAC – the clock and plaques were suitable engraved with our names. We arrived home tired by happy on Monday August 15th.
Aug 17th attended JVC committee parade meeting re Aug 21st celebration of VJ Day at the Legislature grounds in Winnipeg.
Aug 21st Juliet deserves a great big thank you for the way she handled the entertainment and feeding about 500 people at this celebration ceremony. It was a bash! Thank you, thank you, and thank you.
Sept 6th John Gillis and I drove to Moose Jaw, SK to attend VAC Advisory Council meeting. The meeting went well with nothing new to report regarding the Hong Kong Veterans. We returned on Thursday.
Sept 11th along with our Colour Party, Vince, Stan Lopata and Don Thomson, we attended Charleswood Legion’s Celebration of the Year of the Veteran. I laid our wreath, escorted by Bob Lytle who is a member of Charleswood Legion. Carol Hadley is President of the Ladies Auxiliary of this Branch. A very nice dinner was provided to all participants.
Sept 13th attended meeting of JVC parade committee re Remembrance Day services in Winnipeg – nothing new.
By now you will have received your letter regarding our Annual Reunion Dinner on Oct 22nd. Please get your replies in early, as we would like to see you there.
Remember any problems that may arise please phone and we will try our best to eliminate them for you. I close this report with my usual remarks, may you have a smooth road to travel and the wind always at your back.
! ! !
Manitoba HKVCA Regional Director
- Juliet Lafortune
Hello to one and All
I would like to take a few minutes of your time and hopefully you read the Newsletter. The Convention in Ottawa went very well; the Ontario Committee along with Veterans Affairs did a Great job of putting everything together. The Hong Kong Veterans were treated like Royalty, also were the rest of us. They couldn’t do enough. The sad part is - How I wished my father and the other departed could have been there with the rest of the men. Thanks to all that did attend you to make this a wonderful event.
To say the least our VJ Day Celebration went very well - I would say there were approx 450 people in attendance. A great lunch was served, catered by Ludwig Catering. Fun F/X was responsible for the tent and Gotta Go for the washrooms. Cheryl Paille and The Al Miller Band did a great job of entertaining us. I had the great privilege of singing two songs as part of the celebration at the front of the legislative bldg. Cheryl Paille does a show once a month at Deer Lodge the last Monday of the month, she does a great show and I and another gentleman (Tom) also sing. You are welcome to come down between 7 pm to 8 pm.
The Reunion is coming up fast; please make sure you have all your information in and if you would like to donate an item for the silent auction table please call me as I will make arrangements to pick it up.
The Tea and Tidbit Ladies Luncheon on Sept 17 went very well again. There were approx 20 women that attended - a few new faces also. The next date for the Tea and Tidbits is December 10. Please mark that date on the calendar. Well bye for now see you soon and May God Bless each and every one of you. Please remember I'm only a phone call away.
! ! !
Last Post
Ken Hogarth, H 6471, WG, died July 18, 2005
Walter Inglis, H 6923, WG died September 23 2005
HKVCA
Irene Evelyn Mason, wife of Fred Mason, died July 9, 2005
Margaret Falcon, wife of Joseph Falcon, WG, H6035, died on August 25, 2005
Our thoughts and prayers are extended to all the families and friends as we share in your grief.
We will remember them.
! ! !
Manitoba HKVCA Treasurer & Membership
- Barry Mitchell
Greetings everyone:
I hope all our members had as busy and as enjoyable a summer as I did. Perhaps it was the Ottawa convention that stirred everything up but I know computer mailbox seemed to be full almost every night, many of the messages requiring a response.
But all that is good!! As one of the supply bases for HKVCA merchandise, Connie and I were regularly filling orders for our complete array of goodies, particularly those items that would be worn at the convention in August. In fact, we sent off literally thousands of dollars worth of lapel pins, crests, neckties, videos, books, honour rolls and grave markers, to the point where we ran out of some items and are still waiting for new shipments to arrive.
I would like to remind everyone that we have an attractive new Commemorative lapel pin, much the same in design as the blazer crest most of us wear. It costs only $5.00 and I strongly recommend that all members purchase one of these tasteful and classy pins that can be worn with pride on all occasions. Please include a couple of extra bucks to cover the cost of shipping.
We don’t yet have any reports on the business aspects of the convention in August but I presume that the sale of the various products went well. Manitoba made the effort to continue its sales campaign in Ottawa and to make both sweatshirts and “Torch” pins available to the delegates. Our sales there totalled almost $500 over the weekend and we thank the Lopata brothers for making this possible by hauling our stuff to the convention in their car.
There has been a renewed interest in the grave markers that are the simple “HK” in white lettering on the red patch background on a brass plate. These are mounted on a veteran’s gravestone with the use of a screw and possibly epoxy glue. Due to a significant increase in the price charged to us by the manufacturer, we have had to raise our selling price to $72.00 but that includes our shipping costs to you. We have a new supply scheduled to arrive soon and we will be able to fill your order upon receipt.
While you are getting ready to order some appealing merchandise, perhaps you are one of those who I need to remind about dues. If you are, the year is almost over and we would sure like to clean up all those small debts that are still hanging around. We still charge only $15.00 per year and we ask that your cheque be made out to HKVCA and sent to P.O. Box 381, Winnipeg, MB R3C 2H6.
I received many notes over the summer and I sure appreciate hearing from everyone! I’m only going to acknowledge a few but that doesn’t mean we don’t care about every message that comes our way.
Edward Shale of Richmond, BC sent a most interesting note along with his dues. Edward calls himself “an old bugler with the 2nd Battalion of the Winnipeg Grenadiers” who ended up in the Royal Canadian Navy and was in Hong Kong in 1945 aboard the cruiser HMCS Ontario. The ever-cheerful Lloyd O’Leary sent us yet another joke from Thunder Bay, Ontario with a humorous explanation on the merits of booze. Finally, we have a most gracious note from Shirley Andrews of Birtle, MB with a fitting tribute to the brave men we all remember and honour so very much.
That’s it from sunny Manitoba. Cheers to all.
! ! !
Communications
- Bev Rowden
Hi everyone! My name is Bev Rowden and I am the granddaugher of Marcien Lafortune, H6503. I am your new Director of Communications. You will be getting phone calls from me and I will be asking how you are doing. I will have any of your questions or concerns looked into and addressed by either Juliet Lafortune (my mom) or George Peterson.
I have already contacted some of you to see how you are. Some are fine and are doing well. I would like to let you all know that Mr and Mrs. Tom Dewar have both been in the hospital. Mrs. Dewar is at home now, but Mr. Dewar is still in the hospital. We send get well wishes to both and our prayers are with them for a speedy recovery.
I have talked to one lady and she told me that her garden didn’t do well this year. We did have a horrible summer more rain and mosquitoes than we wanted. I sure hope her garden does well next year - also for all other gardeners out there.
Well I don’t want to take too much of your time, but I hope to talk to you all soon and hope to see you at the reunion. My mom, Juliet, made such wonderful centrepieces for the tables. So hope you can all come and have a great time.
If anyone needs to reach me you can phone me at home, ph#633-5577. If I am not at home you can leave a message and I will get back to you. If you have a computer you can reach me by email: BRowden@mts.net
So hope to see or hear from you all. Take care!!
! ! !
Change of the Winnipeg Grenadiers Cap Badge Design
- Vince Lopata
Recently the Department of National Defence, Directorate of History and Heritage (DND-DHH), and the Canadian Heraldic Authority (CHA) have undertaken to apply colouring to the regimental cap badges. This project includes regiments that have been placed on the Supplementary Order of Battle such as The Winnipeg Grenadiers.
The CHA approved the new colouring of The Winnipeg Grenadiers cap badge on 15 January 2004 and the design was gazetted, “Canada Gazette, Part I, Vol. 139, No. 11, p. 690, 12 March 2005”.
The cap badge worn by the Regiment including the Cadet Corps today was approved by the Great Britain’s College of Arms (the authority until 1988) on 01 May 1922. Description was as follows “Gilt, A grenade with 18 pointed flames”. As you can see the recently approved badge bears no resemblance to the traditional badge (See diagrams above left).
Also the citation supporting the new design states that the regiment’s colours are red and white. The colours of the Regiment have historical been red and blue.
Several people have made submissions to the relevant authorities to have the badge changed to a true representation of cap badge with no effect. The design needs to be changed to reflect the real cap badge. Please write to both of the following expressing your displeasure with the change to both of the following:
|
Governor General of Canada Rideau Hall |
office responsible for the Canadian Heraldic Authority |
|
The
Honourable Bill Graham |
responsible for Directorate of History and Heritage, Department of National Defence |
Mailing a letter to your local Member of Parliament would also be encouraged. Mailing letters to these individuals does not require a stamp on the envelope. They are also required to answer your letter.
! ! !
From the Editor
- Carol Hadley
What a wonderful National Convention that was held in Ottawa in August!! The Ontario Executive and Members, along with Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), did a fantastic job of organizing all the events for such a large group of people – over 700 were in attendance. Well done everyone!
There were 71 of the 160 surviving Hong Kong Veterans that were able to attend with caregivers, wives and families. Several of the veterans were reunited after not seeing one another for sixty years – it was a very special time. VAC did a wonderful job of ensuring that our veterans were well looked after and comfortable.
It was great that some members from Manitoba were able to attend to share in the fellowship that was in abundance at this event. Many families took this opportunity to hold family reunions and to celebrate special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.
There are pictures and notes on the website, www.hkvca.ca, if you wish to see how terrific it was. Pat Turcotte, Regional Director for Ontario, has written and posted on our website a wonderful summary of the events that were enjoyed by all.
On Friday night (August 12), all convention participants were hosted to a reception and a private viewing of the exhibits of the National War Museum.
Part of the event was the unveiling of a special plaque that will be placed in an Ottawa park, commemorating Hong Kong Veterans.
Here is a picture of the plaque that was unveiled in the National War Museum to pay tribute to the Hong Kong Veterans. The plaque reads:
The Canadian Role in the Defence of Hong Kong
In late 1941, 1975 Canadians arrived in Hong Kong to reinforce the garrison. They fought with courage and determination against overwhelming odds after the Japanese attached on December 8. Many distinguished themselves under fire, including Company Sergeant-Major John Osborn, who won Canada’s first Victoria Cross of the Second World War. During the seventeen-day battle, 290 men died. After the surrender, 267 more perished during long years of harsh captivity. The Canadians’ role in the defence of Hong Kong stands as an eloquent expression of their lasting honour.
♪♪♪
HKVCA National elections – The following people have been elected for the term 2006/2007:
Carol Hadley – President
Murray Doull – 1st Vice President
Helen Wedge – 2nd Vice President
Jim Trick – Secretary/Membership
Barry Mitchell – Treasurer
♪♪♪
Manitoba Elections 2006 – there will be a Call for Nominations sent out with the next newsletter in December. Please start thinking about who would like to have as your Executive, or, if you wish to contribute to your Region and serve on the Executive, please indicate that on the form.
♪♪♪
The family of Fred Malbeuf, L28212, are looking for some information. He was in Shamshuipo camp. Is there anyone out there who may have served with him? He never spoke to the family about any of the conditions or information. Can anyone help?
♪♪♪
It is great news to have Tom Foster in better health to be able to travel. Tom is a major contributor to our Humour section of the newsletter. He has spent close to a year with serious health issues – we hope to see you out to one of our HK lunches, Tom.
♪♪♪
A BIG thank you is extended to Padre Gordon Shields, the Colour Party (Vince & Stan Lopata, Don Thomson) and piper Craig Munnoch for assisting Ken Hogarth’s family in his memorial service on September 27, 2005 at Elmwood Cemetery. The family expressed their appreciation for your presence and aiding in completing Ken’s wishes.
♪♪♪
The Manitoba HKVCA Education Committee attended the Year of the Veteran celebration that was held at Assiniboine Park, near the Pavilion on July 1, 2005. There were many wonderful displays from military groups like the Winnipeg Rifles and the Fort Garry Horse. There were camps set up depicting the 19th century with people dressed in period costumes. Just a terrific step back into history and great weather to enjoy it!
The Committee will also have a display and do a workshop at the Annual SAG conference for Social Science teachers in October 2005. We continue to support the use of the curricula that has been developed by members of our Association to aid teachers with their classroom lessons.
♪♪♪
As George mentioned in his report, the Colour Party took part in the Year of the Veteran observance at Charleswood Legion Br. #100. George and Bob Lytle laid the HK wreath in memory of those departed. As this is the Legion that my family has belonged to for a few decades I was proud to see such a wonderful tribute to our veterans. It was my honour to make a speech to thank the veterans for their sacrifices for our freedom that we enjoy.
The 49th Scout Group who presented these wonderful badges to the veterans in attendance represented Scouts Canada and the youth of our community.
♪♪♪
There are still many Year of the Veteran events happening in all communities.
- The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra will celebrate the contribution of Veterans by presenting concerts dedicated to them on November 10, 12 and 13 at the Concert Hall. These will feature the music and songs of the era, the Big Bands, and melodies made famous by singers like Vera Lynn.
Veteran’s organizations, Regular Force, Militia and Cadets will participate while displays indoors and out will feature activities and equipment familiar to Veterans and of interest to the people of Manitoba.
These Concerts will be a Salute to Our Veterans whose achievements are recognized on land, sea and air and who will be with the WSO in large numbers.
- We have heard that there will be a Military Tattoo also in November at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg.
♪♪♪
From Ontario Region – Update from Mike Babin:
As of September 17, 2005 there will be 35 people going on the trip to Hong Kong. There will be a commemorative ceremony at Sai Wan Cemetery on December 4, 2005, and the Ontario Region of the HKVCA is working with a travel agent to organize a trip for interested people to be able to participate in that ceremony. Details of the trip, including tentative itinerary and estimated costs are shown on the website www.hkvca.ca. All HKVCA members, whether from Ontario or other regions, are invited to participate. If you are interested, please contact Mike Babin at msbabin@sympatico.ca as soon as possible. Mike Babin, Deputy Regional Director, Ontario Region Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association - Mobile: 416-732-5720 Home: 416-239-9192.
© © © ©
Winnipeg Grenadier’s Hong Kong Trust Fund
- Donna Remillard
The Winnipeg Grenadiers Hong Kong Trust Fund provides financial assistance to the issue of the Winnipeg Grenadiers HK Veterans for their pursuit of higher learning. All donations are most gratefully appreciated. Cheques should be written to Winnipeg Grenadier's Hong Kong Trust Fund (not HKVA).
Application inquiries and donations to this fund may be directed to:
Donna Remillard, 303 - 740 Kenaston Boulevard, Winnipeg, MB R3N 1Y3 sellers@mts.net
Tel: (204) 489-0008.
© © © ©
Humour
Sleeping Butt
Two old women were sitting on a bench waiting for their bus. The buses were
running late, and a lot of time passed. Finally, one woman turned to the other
and said, "You know, I've been sitting here so long, my butt fell
asleep!"
"I know," the other woman replied. "I heard it snoring...!"
· · · · ·
Chicken Surprise...
A couple went for a meal at a Chinese restaurant and ordered the
"Chicken Surprise." The waiter brought
the meal, served in a lidded cast-iron pot. Just as the wife was about to serve
herself, the lid of the pot rose lightly and she briefly saw two beady
little eyes looking around before the lid slammed back down.
"Good grief, did you see that?" she asked her husband. He
didn't, so she asked him to look in the pot. He reached for it, and again, the
lid rose, and he saw two little eyes looking around before he slammed it
down.
Rather perturbed, he called the waiter over, explained what happened,
and demanded an explanation.
"Please sir," said the waiter, "what you order?"
The husband replies, "Chicken Surprise."
"Ah, so sorry," said the waiter, "I bring you Peeking
Duck."
· · · · ·
The Smith family was proud of their family tradition. Their ancestors had come to America on the Mayflower. Their line had included senators, pastors, and Wall Street wizards. They decided to compile a family history, a legacy for the children. They hired a fine author. Only one problem arose: how to handle that great-uncle who was executed in the electric chair. But the author said not to worry; he could handle that section of history tactfully. When the book appeared, the family turned to the section on Uncle George. There, they read, "George Smith occupied a chair of applied electronics at an important government institution, was attached to his position by the strongest of ties. His death came as a real shock."
· · · · ·
A loud pounding on the door awakens a man and his wife at 3 o’clock in the morning. The man gets up and goes to the door where a drunken stranger,
standing in the pouring rain, is asking for a push.
"Not a chance," says the husband, "it is 3 o'clock in the morning!". He slams the door and returns to bed.
"Who was that?" asked his wife.
"Just some drunk guy asking for a
push," he answers.
"Did you help him?" she asks.
"No, I did not, it is three in the morning and it is pouring
outside!"
"Well, you have a short memory," says his wife. "Can’t you
remember about three months ago when we broke down and those two guys helped
us? I think you should help him, and you should be ashamed of yourself!"
The man does as he is told, gets dressed, and goes out into the pouring rain.
He calls out into the dark, "Hello, are you still there?"
"Yes," comes back the answer.
"Do you still need a push?" calls out the husband.
"Yes, please!" comes the reply from the dark.
"Where are you?" asks the
husband.
"Over here on the swing!" replies the drunk.
· · · · ·
The Sheriff in a small town walks out in the street and sees a blonde cowboy coming down the walk with nothing on but his cowboy hat, gun and his boots, so he arrests him for indecent exposure. As he is locking him up, he asks, "Why in the world are you dressed like this?"
The Cowboy says, "Well it's like this, Sheriff. I was in the
bar down the road and this pretty little red head asks me to go out to her
motor home with her.... so I did. We go inside and she pulls off her top
and asks me to pull off my shirt ...so I did. Then she pulls off her skirt
and asks me to pull off my pants...so I did. Then she pulls off her
panties and asks me to pull off my shorts...so I did.
Then
she gets on the bed and looks at me kind of sexy and says, "Now go
to town cowboy.... . . . so I did.... and here I am.
· · · · ·
My wife and I are watching "Who
Wants To Be A Millionaire" while we are in bed. I turned to her and said,
"Do you want to have sex?"
"No." She answered. I then said, "Is that your final
answer?"
"Yes." She replied.
Then I said, " I'd like to phone a friend."
That's the last thing I remember.
· · · · ·
The Inheritance
When he found out he was going to inherit a fortune when his sickly
widowed father died, Charles decided he needed a woman to enjoy it with.
So one evening, he went to a singles bar where he spotted the most
beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Her natural beauty took his breath away.
"I may look like just an ordinary man," he said, as he walked up
to her, "But in just a week or two, my father will die, and I’ll inherit
20 million dollars."
The woman went home with Charles that evening, and three days later, she
became his stepmother.
Women are so much smarter. When will men ever learn?
· · · · ·
A
doctor was addressing a large audience in Chicago.
"The material we put into our stomachs is enough to kill most of us
sitting here. Red meat is awful.
Soft drinks corrode your stomach lining. Chinese food is loaded with MSG. High
fat diets can be disastrous,
and none of us realizes the long-term harm caused by germs in our drinking
water.
But there is one thing that is the most dangerous of all and most of us
will eat it or have already eaten it.
Can anyone here tell me what food causes the most grief and suffering for years
after eating it?"
After several seconds of quiet, a 75 year old gentleman sitting in the
front row raised his hand and softly said "wedding cake."
· · · · ·
An elderly Florida lady did her shopping
and, upon returning to her car, found four males in the act of leaving with her
vehicle. She dropped her shopping bags and drew her handgun, proceeding to
scream at the top of her voice, "I have a gun, and I know how to use it!
Get out of the car!" The four men didn't wait for a second invitation.
They got out and ran like
mad.
The lady, somewhat shaken, then proceeded to load her shopping bags into
the back of the car and got into the driver's seat. She was so shaken that she
could not get her key into the ignition. She tried and tried, and then it
dawned on her why...
For the same reason she did not understand why there was a football, a
Frisbee and two 12 packs of beer in the front seat! A few minutes later, she
found her own car parked four or five spaces farther down. She loaded her bags
into the car and drove to the police station to report her mistake.
The sergeant to whom she told the story couldn't stop laughing. He
pointed to the other end of the counter, where four pale men were reporting a
car
jacking by a mad, elderly woman described as white, less than five feet tall,
glasses, curly white hair, and carrying a large handgun. No charges were filed.
If you're going to have a Senior Moment, make it a memorable one!
· · · · ·
Reminders
Monthly lunches are held at St. James Legion on Portage Ave. at NOON - 2nd Thursday of the month. The facility is fully accessible.
· · · · ·
HKVCA meetings at St James Legion at 1300 hrs on October 15, November 19, 2005
· · · · ·
Ladies Tea & Tidbits to be held at 1 p.m. at St. James Legion on December 10, 2005
· · · · ·
Winnipeg Grenadier Cadets will be holding a “Battle of Hong Kong Parade” on December 4, 2005 at Minto Armouries.
· · · · ·
***Manitoba HKVA Reunion will be held October 22, 2005 at Holiday Inn Airport West – Please send in your forms a.s.a.p. ***
· · · · ·
MEMBERSHIPS ARE DUE.
*** Check your membership card today. Please make sure you are a paid up member. Also when you remit your membership, indicate if Manitoba is your primary region or just for newsletters. Thank you. ***
· · · · ·
Your HKVA Branch Council Phone Numbers - Keep Them Handy:
|
George Peterson, MB President Carol Hadley, Secretary/Newsletter Barry Mitchell, Treasurer/Membership Juliet Lafortune, Social Terence Jackson, Memorials Phil Doddridge, Nat’l President |
256-7174 837-6754
269-1497
338-3354 452-1460 418-392-5838 |
**PLEASE REMEMBER:
SEND US ANY ADDRESS CHANGES –
WE DON’T WANT TO LOSE YOU
AND
CHEQUES FOR BARRY’S EMPORIUM
SHOULD BE
PAYABLE TO HKVCA**
Have a wonderful day and be safe!