2007
Name: Ray Giroux - #054
Date of message : 30 December 2007
E-mail address : kingrheal@gmail.com
Website address : http://cfbgriesbach.blogspot.com/
Unit served:
Present Location: 780-457-9405
Comments: I am presently publishing a photo-blog pertaining to the days when the military had a base at Griesbach, Edmonton, Ab.
I was posted to Griesbach in the mid 1990's as a parachute rigger specialist(coin #197) with CFPMD. As you may know, CFB Griesbach was transfered over to Canada Lands Corporation to carry out a huge residential development covering the entirety (620 acres+) of the old base. Very quickly the old infrastructure (i.e. original roads, buildings, barracks, PMQ's, the DB, CABC, CFPMD, the curling club, etc) are being demolished since 2000 to make place to new roads and homes. The problem with CFB Griesbach being demolished is that absolutely nothing can be found on the internet about its history.
It is to preserve and archive what the base used to be in its military days that I am looking for any pictures depicting activities, people, units, the PMQ areas, the Airborne Regiment's (CAR) early days there, etc. since the 1950's. Anyone that may help by sharing pictures or anecdotes to my blog, I would definitely appreciate. You will be given full credits for your contribution. Simply send me your photos as an e-mail attachment along with a description, date, tale, your name, etc. to me: kingrheal@gmail.com Visit my blog at: http://cfbgriesbach.blogspot.com/
AIRBORNE!
I WILL BE SURE ALWAYS!
Ray Giroux
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Name: Collelo Sam - #053
Date of message : 23 December 2007
E-mail address : scollelo@rogers.com
Website address :
Unit served: 2cdo,3cdo
Present Location: Oshawa, Ontario
Comments: It has been a long time.If you recognize my name please pass along a message.
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Name: Marco Varese - #052
Date of message : 14 December 2007
E-mail address : Varese.MV@forces.gc.ca
Website address :
Unit served: 2 RCR, CA AB REGT
Present Location: Ottawa
Comments: By sheer fluke, I happened to be browsing this morning looking at where I can find access to The Maroon Beret, wherein I stumbled onto this site.
I read the Manifest and was deeply saddened to discover Dave Mack's passing away in Aug '07. First, I wish to send my late, but deepest sympathies to all his family and close friends.
I knew Dave since his days as Sgt in 3 CDO in the early 80's right thru to his days as MWO in the RCR - after that, I never saw him again because I medically retired. Spent several years with him in the PF det and shared good times during the MFP days as well. The most memorable recollection I have of Dave was in Fort Bliss Texas back in '85. Some of you will recollect the "Mutiny in the desert". Anyway, there were many good memorable times spent with Dave during that era. A true professional and consumate example of how an Airborne paratrooper should conduct himself while on duty.
You are already missed,
Dave. Marco Varese
3 Cdo PF 81-86
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Name: David Jannison - #051
Date of message : 22 November 2007
E-mail address : david.jannison@sympatico.ca
Website address :
Unit served: 2cdo Aug.68- june-80
Present Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Comments: Just a comment about Al Park, I met him while attending small arms course as RCSI camp Borden. He was one of our instructors. Needless to say he was delighted to see maroon berets back in service. At the end of our course he gave to me a map of the drop zone of Dives crossing, with the request that I turn it over to our RSM to be turned over to an airborne museum for when one would be created. I have looked for it when the museum opened but did not ever see it again. I remember being honoured that he trusted me with this artifact. Although I did not know him well, I did what an airborne brother does, and honoured his wish to the letter.
My sincerest condolences. Dave Jannison
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Name: Jack Park - #050
Date of message : 20 Nov 2007l
E-mail address : jack_park57@yahoo.com
Website address :
Unit served: Canadian Airborne Regt Hq & Sigs Sqn
Present Location: Selkirk, Manitoba
Comments: Just wanted to let all my fellow jumpers know of the passing of my father WO Alfred (Dapper) Alexander Park, CD. My Dad was a proud member of this association, as am I, and it meant alot to him to receive his Maroon Beret newsletter. Dad served with the 1st Canadian Parachute Batallion and then later on the 2nd Batallion of the PPCLI. When I joined the military myself and became Airborne as well, it was one of his proudest moments. Dad passed away peacefully on Nov 18 at 5PM just one month short of his 81st birthday. I want to thank you all on behalf of my family for making my Dad proud to be Airborne.
The service is to be held on Wednesday November 21 at 2PM at the Selkirk Aboriginal Redemption Church, 209 Dufferin Avenue, Selkirk, Manitoba.
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Name: ARAC - #049
Date of message : 22 October 2007
E-mail address : kitshop@airborneassociation.com
Website address : www.airborneassociation.com
Unit served: n/a
Present Location: Gatineau, QC
Comments: It is with great sadness that the Airborne Regiment Association of Canada (ARAC) learned of the passing of Bill Murray. He passed away at 0330hrs on the 22 Oct due to complications of liver failure and a staph B infection. Bill was a sapper and a Jumper with the Canadian Airborne Regiment Fd Engr
There will be a service and reception at Br.280, Royal Canadian Legion, Vedder Golden, Chilliwack, BC on Monday the 29th of Oct at 1300hrs.
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Name: Ben Murdock - #048
Date of message : 16 October 2007
E-mail address : ben.murdock@shaw.ca
Website address :
Unit served: add unit served
Present Location: Alberta
Comments:
I just got word this morning from Mac Torrie that our friend and Jumper Bill Harvey passed away 15th Oct of Cancer, Bill was originally Black Watch Regiment and was with the Canadian Airborne Regiment 2 Commando. His memorial will be held in Darwell Ab at 1300 hrs on Sat 20th Oct, at the community hall, Darwell is an hour drive from Edmonton going west on Hwy 16, turn right at the Darwell sign and it is 10 Km to the hall.
Legion Uniform, Airborne Blazer, or Black Watch Blazer, with medals and head dress. Bill also was a piper and was called upon different times to participate at funerals and other functions, he will be sadly missed, Airborne.
You can send your sympathy to the following:
Gail Harvey
Box 247
Darwell AB, T0E 0L0
email: petone@telus.net
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Name: John D. Jean Toupin - #047
Date of message : 7 October 2007
E-mail address : jtroger@hotmail.com
Website address :
Unit served: Airborne Bty RCA in Edmonton from May of 1971 to October of 1976
Present Location: Current location, Grillon, QC
Comments:
I served the Airborne Bty RCA in Edmonton from May of 1971 to October of 1976.
My Airborne coin number is 0076. I also had a parachute accident in January of 1976 during exercise at Grave-Flat. (A parachute Hung-Up.) Now I am out of the service after 35 years service. I have severe pain in my back and left hip from that accident. I am looking for former members of the Airborne Bty RCA who can recall my accident. This to help me with the DVA. My problem is that there was no proper medical record made at that time and no CF-98 done up as well.
If you can help M. Toupin then please e-mail him at the address above or phone him at 418-847-9083
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Name: Ron Adams - #046
Date of message : 4 October 2007
E-mail address : rrcns@hotmail.com
Website address :
Unit served: AB SVC CDO Maint Plt 83-8
Present Location: Oromocto, NB
Comments: Good to see a site for airborne members. light winds, soft landingss
Answer (when needed)
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Name: David Grant Mack - #045
Date of message : 23 September 2007
E-mail address :
Website address :
Unit served:
Present Location: British Columbia
Comments: I would like to inform everyone of my fathers passing, David Mack. He died doing what he loved, hunting.
CWO (Ret) Dave Mack, CD RCR, AB Regt and AB School, age of 53 years old, on Sunday the 26th Aug, 07 from a heart attack. Dave served with the RCR and the AB family for many years during his military career. The funeral was held in Darwell, Alberta. We will remember him.
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Name: Mike Goacher - #044
Date of message : 22 August 2007
E-mail address : mgoacher@shaw.ca
Website address :
Unit served: AB Sigs CAR
Present Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Comments: I served with the HQ & Signal Squadron CAR 1968/1969. This site brings back some wonderful memories. I am retired now but always a jumper at heart. Good luck all and support our troops.
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Name: Mitch MacLeod - #043
Date of message : 9 July 2007
E-mail address : a78jumper@yahoo.ca
Website address :
Unit served: AB Svc Cdo, Cdn Ab Centre
Present Location: Ft McMurray, AB
Comments: Bruce Fitzsimmons passed away at the Foothills Medical Center in Calgary from injuries sustained in a Traffic accident while on leave on 3 July 2007. Bruce was currently the DCO of 7 CFSD, and is well known in the Logistics community. He had celebrated his 50th birthday on 29 June. Bruce had served in Petawawa with 2 Svc and the Airborne Regiment, Germany with 4 Brigade HQ and 1 Div HQ, Trenton and Edmonton with the Parachute Center, CFSAL Borden, and in Edmonton with 1 Svc, 1 GS, and LFWA HQ. OC ADTC at CABC and CPC as well 1995-97. He also served in operations in the war on terror twice. (SLOC and TF Afghanistan).
Follow-up from Mitch MacLeod
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Name: Mitch MacLeod - #042
Date of message : 6 July 2007
E-mail address : a78jumper@yahoo.ca
Website address :
Unit served: AB Svc Cdo, Cdn Ab Centre
Present Location: Ft McMurray, AB
Comments: Just to let you know of the passing of Bruce Fitzsimmons, who was the Adjt of AB Svc Cdo and the R Tpt O 1984-1984.
From the Edmonton Journal today Bruce Fitzsimmons FITZSIMMONS, Bruce Stewart June 29, 1957 - July 3, 2007 On July 03, 2007, Bruce Stewart Fitzsimmons of St. Albert passed away tragically at the age of 50 years. Bruce is survived by his loving family, his wife, Bernadette; daughter, Megan; son, Andrew; mother, Jean; brother, Bob (Joanna); sisters, Brenda (Neil) and Bev, and many extended family members and friends. He was predeceased by his father, Alan. Prayers will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, 75 Poirier Avenue, St. Albert on Sunday July 08, 2007, at 8:00 p.m. Reverend David McLeod will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Family Catholic Church, on Monday, July 09, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. with cremation and private family interment to follow at a later date.
Those who wish may make memorial donations directly to the Edmonton Community Foundation, 9910-103 Street, Edmonton, T5K 2V7; or STARS Foundation, Building 16, 29 Airport Road, Edmonton, T6G 0W6 or a charity of one's choice. Connelly-McKinley Ltd., St. Albert Chapel, 9 Muir Drive, (780) 458-2222, to send condolences: www.connelly-mckinley.com Published in the Edmonton Journal on 7/6/2007.
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Name: Dana D. Johnson - #041
Date of message : 19 April 2007
E-mail address : taekwon@shaw.ca
Website address : http://www.tempesttkd.com
Unit served: 3 CDO
Present Location: Calgary, AB
Comments: It was good to see some names of friends from long ago. I got out in 91. Wasn't much happening then. But things picked up afterwards...bad timing for me. Currently working with Ryan Mazur (former 3CDO)in Calgary. He has filled me in on the troops, who's still in and who left. Great site and great memories. DJ
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Name: Jay Fink - #040
Date of message : 5 Feburary 2007
E-mail address : jfink@kingsway.toyota.ca
Website address :
Unit served:
Present Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Comments:
DEAR SIR:
I HAVE JUST SPOKEN TO YOU BY TELEPHONE ABOUT LOCATING MY HALF BROTHER KEVIN FINK. AS I MENTIONED I ONLY MET HIM ONCE AT OUR FATHERS FUNERAL AND THE ONLY INFORMATION I HAVE ABOUT HIM IS THAT HE SERVED IN THE AIRBORNE AT THE TIME OF OUR FATHERS DEATH. I SEEM TO REMEMBER THAT HE WAS FINISHING HIS TOUR WITH THE REGIMENT SOON AFTER THE FUNERAL AND WAS GOING TO INSTRUCT AT THE JUMP SCHOOL, I RECALL HIM SPEAKING OF TWO BASES HE HAD BEEN STATIONED TO PETAWAWA AND GAGETOWN....I WAS ALSO TOLD ONCE THAT HE AND SEVERAL OF HIS COMRADES HAD BEEN KILLED IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN THE EARLY 90'S NEAR PETAWAWA, HOWEVER I CAN FIND NO CONFIRMATION OF THAT INFORMATION AND I DO NOT KNOW HOW RELIABLE THAT INFORMATION IS. I HOPE THAT HE IS STILL ALIVE AND DOING WELL BUT I AM PREPARED TO HEAR THE WORST AT THIS POINT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR EAGAR WILLINGNESS TO HELP ME FIND MY BROTHER. YOU CAN CONTACT ME BY E-MAIL AT
JFINK@KINGSWAY.TOYOTA.CA
OR
RAEJAY@SHAW.CA
OR CALL(780)483-7035 H PLEASE CALL COLLECT, OR (780)405-8421 CELL
Regards,
Jay Fink
Financial Services Manager
Kingsway Toyota
It has already been determined that Kevin is not a member of this association but perhaps there are former paras out there who know Kevin. If so contact Jay Fink.
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Name: Frank Aroz - #039
Date of message : 3 February 2007
E-mail address : isspi@hotmail.com
Website address :
Unit served: Served with 1 CDO from 1976 to 1980 then with the Airborne MP's in 1980
Present Location:
Comments: Would like to hear from anyone who served in the Regiment the same time I did.
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Name: Russ Murphy - #038
Date of message : 28 January 2007
E-mail address : russ.pauline.m.c@sympatico.ca
Website address :
Unit served: Canadian Airborne Regiment - 1968-72
Present Location: Petawawa, Ontario
Comments: I Retired from the Forces in 1978.Bought a home in Petawawa and decided this would be home until I make that final "Jump" and meet all my long lost friends in my final resting place. I am now President of Branch #5 ARAC, in Petawawa.
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Name: Marlene - #037
Date of message : 28 January 2007
E-mail address : kitshop@airborneassociation.com
Website address :
Unit served:
Present Location:
Comments: Memorial Scholarships named in honour of Mike Rafferty
In partnership with the Canadian Forces (CF) Logistics Branch, the Logistics Institute is seeking contributions to build up the Mike Rafferty Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded annually in the memory of Lieutenant Colonel Mike Rafferty, CD, P.Log, to reservists in the Canadian Forces pursuing professional development in transportation, aerial delivery, supply chain, logistics and materiel management. LogInstitute
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Name: Phillip Ryan - #036
Date of message : 4 January 2007
E-mail address : pryan99@shaw.ca
Website address :
Unit served: British Columbia
Present Location:
Comments: Good Day Sir: I was wondering if you may be able to help me, I served with the Airborne Regiment from Nov. 1975 until it moved to Petawawa Ontario when I served with E Battery Para 2 RCHA, until I was medically released in Nov. 79. In Sept. of 2004 I had to under go emergency surgery to fuse vertebra in my neck after an MRI showed that they were pinching my spinal cord. It also showed that the injury happened years and years and years ago and after a DVA doctor looked at it and his knowing that I had a bad jump from a C130 where I ended up getting my feet and legs caught up in my riser which caused me to spiral to the ground hitting head first. As well as the fact that he know I had been pined by a mortar toboggan he felt that I should apply for an additional DVA Pension since I am no longer able to work.
I would point out that I have lost my jump book over the years however I am sure the jump happen in either 1976 or 77 and it was during a regimental jump day and we jumped into DZ Bunion if I remember the name right. I was pinned by the toboggan during exercise called Prevailing Chill, in Northern Quebec in January of 1978. Therefore, if there is any way you provide me with a list of names that I can use to try and contact someone it would help.
I should note that so far I have been able to contact one x-member of 1 Airborne Battery who stated he remembers my having the jump but he does not remember when it happened, so the members of my DVA hearing did not pay it any mind. I also since contacted former member of E Battery Para who remembers my being pined by the toboggan, however and I am hoping to try and fine more.
Thank you in advance for any help you can give me. Phil Ryan (Known in 1 Airborne Battery as the Taz )
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