Military widow writes book to provide better grief support
Grief Ally: Helping People you Love Cope with Death, Loss, and Grief – Supplied photo In 2019, Aly Bird received a call that no one ever expects. Her spouse, Cpl William Vant Erve – a firefighter at 19 Wing Comox- died unexpectedly in a hiking accident. She became a widow at 30 years old, without any understanding of how to live with a life-changing loss. Aly soon recognized that...
Defence Team Champion for Visible Minorities Message: Black History Month
Commodore Jacques Olivier – Supplied Photo Happy Black History Month. I appreciate the opportunity to connect with you on this important occasion. This year’s celebration of the contributions of Black Canadians to the social fabric of Canada holds a deeper significance for me than usual. As the new Defence Team Champion for Visible Minorities, as a member of the Chief Professional Conduct...
House of Commons Recognizes Naval Reserve Centennial
January 31st marks the Naval Reserve Centennial, marking 100 years of service to Canada – Photo via the Royal Canadian Navy / Facebook The House of Commons recognized the Naval Reserve Centennial on Tuesday, marking 100 years of service to Canada. On January 31, 1923, the Government of Canada authorized the organization of the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve, paving the way for...
Bell Let’s Talk 2023 | Join in and help change the conversation!
Bell Let’s Talk day is on January 25th – Supplied Photo This year, Bell Let’s Talk Day is on Wednesday, January 25, and the Defence Team will be joining forces to help drive awareness and end the stigma around mental illness. In Canada, one-in-two people struggling with their mental health are not getting the help they need. This year, the Bell Let’s Talk campaign theme is “Let’s...
Time marches – rather, flies – on
404 (Long Range Patrol & Training) Squadron members Captain Rob Scholte and Captain Mary Cameron-Kelly, armed with new – and rare – 8 000‑hour flight time patches, have put in their time aboard the CP-140 Aurora – Photo credit: Corporal W. Pfneisl, 404 (Long Range Patrol & Training) Squadron Of the 8 000‑plus hours flying the CP‑140 Aurora over the past several decades, captains...
Canadian soldier of the First World War identified
January 16, 2023 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have confirmed that remains recovered in Vendin-le-Vieil, France, are those of Corporal Percy Howarth, a Canadian soldier of the First World War. The identity was confirmed through historical, genealogical, anthropological, archaeological and DNA analysis....
Canada finalizes agreement to purchase new fighter jets for Royal Canadian Air Force
The Canadian government has announced that 88 F-35 fighter jets in total will be purchased for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) – photo from RCAF/ Facebook Through Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged, the Government of Canada is acquiring modern military equipment to keep Canadians safe and protected, and to support the security of our international allies and partners....
Soldier On launches new opportunity for CAF members
Master Warrant Officer Garrett Powers of 4 Wing with his wife Tina and family – Supplied photo Soldier On is launching an initiative that provides new opportunities for ill and injured serving and Veteran soldiers, sailors and aviators. Soldier On members and their family and friends will be able to participate in different events, ranging from bowling to skating and even horseback riding!...
Steel Spirit Artist Spotlight – Jarrett Cranston
Jarrett completed a full diorama of a WWII scene around a Panzerkampfwagen VII ‘King Tiger’ tank – Supplied Photo “I needed something to fill that void. I needed something to do.” When Jarrett Cranston was medically released from the military in 2020 due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), he initially looked forward to focusing on improving his health by going to the gym, spending...
Canadian NORAD Region: Ready to escort Santa once again
A graphic for NORAD tracks Santa 2022 – Photo courtesy of the Royal Canadian Air Force / Facebook The countdown to December 24th has begun! As the big night approaches, the Canadian NORAD Region (CANR) is happy to announce that we will be monitoring and escorting Santa as he completes his journey through Canadian airspace once again! The news was released earlier via a short video on...