Hope your holidays have been festive and safe.
After an absence of two years, because of COVID-19, the Warrant Officers and Sergeants New Year's Breakfast was re-started last year and we're hoping to have one this New Year's morning! The breakfast has been ongoing and now in its seventh decade starting in the early 1960s - a history is attached. This year, we are happy to welcome and include two new members to this custom - Sergeant Anders Grasdal and Sergeant Jason Han.
A formal invitation for the Breakfast and Levee is attached. Along with serving members and associates, spouses and partners are most welcome to attend.
The Breakfast is at 0800 hours for 0830 hours at Frankie's Italian Kitchen and Bar located at 765 Beatty Street in Vancouver. Frankie is not a relative of mine. The dress is DEU with ribbons and shoes and although challenging to get up on this holiday, I would encourage every member to attend at least one breakfast in their career. The Levee is back in the Warrant Officers and Sergeants' Mess at 1030 hours. Please pass this on to anyone I may have missed.
Please find below the photograph from last year's Breakfast with all those who attended.
Have a safe, healthy and happy NEW YEAR
Donato Calogero (Calocero)

Another very successful Tea was held in the Officers' Mess. Congratulations to the organizers who had to overcome an unscheduled power outage in the Armoury that lasted throughout the event. Mind you, the candles added to the ambience of the Mess! Check out the other photos in the 2023 yearbook.

​Bombardier David Richard Speck, MM enlisted with the Siege Artillery and was posted to the 5th Siege Battery, Canadian Garrison Artillery. He was initially reported missing but later confirmed killed in action 8 Apr 1917. His citation reads:
During three months service on the Somme viz., October, November and December 1916. For the unfailing courage and devotion to duty. He laid and maintained telephone lines under very trying conditions and heavy shell fire on several occasions, and was throughout, an example to the others in his industry and cheeriness.

Gene Brown was a former Regular Force support staff with 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA from 1979 until 1981. His wishes were that there would be no obituary printed in the paper, no services, no place to send flowers or anything like that. We do know that Gene's service included Battery Sergeant Major, A Bty 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery 1981/82 and Sergeant Major Instructor Gunnery (SMIG) at the Artillery School 1984/85. He also served with the 4th Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, and 30th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA. He took his commission to work with cadets until he retired.
He will be sorely missed by those who knew and served with him. Gene passed away 11 Dec 2023.

​Sergeant Harry Alexander (Alex) Robertson, MM has been added to our list of Military Medal awards. He was a member of the 5th Siege Battery, Canadian Garrison Artillery, CEF. His citation reads:
VIMY RIDGE. Displayed great courage in keeping up communication from O.P. at BEER and BESSIE trenches to TOTTENHAM TUNNEL on April 11th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. working continuously on the line between these points under heavy shell fire.
Check out the other Military Medal awards here.

Congratulations to Bombardier Andy Law CD on the awarding of his Canadian Forces Decoration for 12 years service with a good record of conduct.

​Gunner Everett McEachern, MM has been added to our list of Military Medal awards. He was a member of the 5th Siege Battery, Canadian Garrison Artillery, CEF, a unit perpetuated by the 15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCA. His citation reads:
As O.P. lineman showed remarkable and exceptional courage and devotion on 9th  10th and 11th April in laying and keeping up lines to Hill 145 to which point he closely followed the Infantry assault.
Lest We Forget

​Congratulations to one of our former members. Master Bombardier Stephan Figueroa has been promoted Sergeant at 20th Independant Field Battery in Lethbridge, Alta.

​Sergeant Donato Calogero receives some well deserved recognition for years of loyal service and esprit de corps with the presentation of a Colonel Commandant's coin. Check out the other photos from the Colonel Commandant's visit here.

The annual turkey shoot has been re-started by Sergeant Donato Calogero for the first time since 2007.  The plan is to allow the unit members to fire on every Wednesday night in November leading to our Annual Soldier's Christmas Dinner where the winner of both the trophy target and random shot target are awarded a frozen turkey - all in the spirit of Christmas.
The random shot target has a secret overlay for scoring and the trophy target  winner gets a name plate put on the trophy for the year. ​Sergeant Jayson Wong displays his excellent grouping. Check out the other photos from 2023 here.