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Topic: Remembrance Day 2008 - Niagara (Read 686 times)
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
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Posts: 3965
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Twas a long day, lads... started out at Princess Margaret school, proceeded to Albert Storm's gravesite to offer a salute and plant the regimental pennant then it was off to several legions, an Army Navy Air Force Corps and a few bars in search of my brothers....
The trek begins.... Here is a copy of my speech, which, if I do say so myself, appeared to go over very well. BTW, I though i was addressing a single class but it ended out being the entire school.
Good Morning.
My name is Michael Blais and I am a veteran.
I enlisted with the Canadian Armed Forces on a cold, January morning thirty-one years ago. Like many young men of my time, I was seeking adventure and wanted an opportunity to experience the world beyond Niagara Falls. I was proud to be a Canadian, proud of what my country stood for in the world and eager to bring our way of life to those who, sadly, continue to suffer in poorer nations of our world.
I chose to serve with the Royal Canadian Regiment, Canada’s senior regular force infantry regiment, because I wanted to serve my country at the front, not the rear. The RCRs have a history spanning 125 years. We have served and fought in every conflict since the Boer War in South Africa 108 years ago to this very day where my brothers in the 3rd battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, are bringing peace and security to the poverty stricken streets of the Khandahar, Afghanistan.
Two years ago it was the 1st battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment, the First and Finest, who stood up against the despicable actions of the Taliban. It was during these battles that a citizen of our city, Niagara Falls, offered the ultimate sacrifice for his nation, his regiment and the people of Afghanistan.
His name was Albert Storm and although I did not know him personally, he was my brother. You see, that is the way it is when one becomes a member of such a prestigious regiment as ours. When Albert Storm’s name was added to the Royal Canadian Regiment’s roll of honour, a list wherein we reverently record the names of those who died in the service of our nation, Albert Storm became immortal.
His spirit lives within us and the valour of his sacrifice will be venerated by my generation, your generation and many generations of Royal Canadians who shall proudly carry the torch of freedom into battle long after our time has come and passed.
The battlefields Canadian soldiers confront today are very much different from the bloody killing fields of the war that Remembrance Day was originally created to commemorate. Forty million people died during WW1, twenty million soldiers and twenty million civilians, men, women and children who were trapped between the forces of Right and Wrong, Righteousness and Evil. And to put this horrible number in perspective for you and to highlight the horror of war, more people died in WW1, a war that ended ninety years ago then we have in our country today!
When the First World War ended on the eleventh day of the eleventh month 90 years ago, the people of Canada and the world were horrified to discover so many people died and vowed amongst themselves that this would the be last global conflict, that never again would mankind wage war on this scale. They selected eleventh hour, the eleventh day, the eleventh month as a symbol that would forever remind future generations of the futility and the horrific consequences of World War.
Today, 100 years later, it is my turn to speak to you, to Canada’s next generation, about a global curse our forbearers believed they had forever ended. We know today, long after WW1 ended, that not even the deaths of forty million people would be enough to dissuade the forces of tyranny from attacking the forces of peace.
Canada, strong, free, united, has always been on the side of peace. Canada, our nation, has never been the aggressor and has never, not then and not NOW, failed to rally to arms when our freedoms or the freedoms of our allies and friends were threatened by tyrants, dictators or fascists.
Many, many wars have been fought since the First World War ended in 1918 and Canadian soldiers, airmen and sailors have fought, died and been horribly wounded in most of them.
During Veterans week and on November 11th, we are encouraged to embrace our military history, to honour those who died for the freedoms we now enjoy and, through acknowledging their sacrifice, harden our hearts against war. Our children are reminded of the terrible sacrifices our great-great grandparents, grandparents, mothers, fathers, uncles and aunts have made in the name of Canada and in the name of peace.
Lest we forget!
This is a saying we often hear during the month of November but, more often or not, we are unsure of why so many Canadians went to war and why?
In our world today, we are taught to compromise, to respect our fellow Canadians values. We strive to live in peace and have created a nation where children can go to school in a safe and healthy environment, a nation where there are opportunities available for you to reach your true potential and live your life in peace.
45300 Canadians died during WWII, a war against fascist oppression. They died to protect your grandparents from a dictator who dreamed of conquering the world, who sought to destroy Canada’s vision and to repress the very values that make us strong and free.
Lest we forget.
Five years later, Canadian servicemen would once again be called to defend the forces of oppression in Korea. 516 Canadians died representing Canada in a 3-year conflict that would save millions of Koreans from the horror of communist inspired oppression. Today, fifty-five years later, FIFTY million Koreans live peacefully in South Korea and their nation is one of the most successful democratic countries in the Orient. This is Canada’s gift, the gift of peace.
Lest we forget.
In November, 1956, Lester Pearson, the 14th prime minister of Canada, stood before the United Nations General Assembly and made a speech that would forever change the world. His words defined what we as a nation believed, that war can be averted through mediation and peace should be enforced, when necessary, through military force.
Some of his words are etched on the National Peacekeeping Memorial in Ottawa.
“We need action not only to end the fighting but to make the peace,” Prime Minister Pearson declared. Shortly after that speech, the United Nations created an international peacekeeping and police organization that, half a century later, has been responsible for saving millions upon millions of lives.
Canadian soldiers have served UN peacekeeping and humanitarian operations in Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, the Middle East, Rwanda, Somalia, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Haiti, East Timor, Cambodia, Pakistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Kosovo. I have served in Cyprus, where the virulent hatred between Turk and Greek Cypriot has, through Canadian efforts, been replaced by respect and a mutual desire to solve their differences without violence or war.
This is Canada’s gift, the gift of peace, security and democracy.
Over one hundred and twenty five thousand Canadians have participated with these honourable UN missions and 212 have died, as it says on the back of this Medal, in the Service of Peace.
Lest we forget!
Today, 2900 members of the Canadian Armed Forces are serving abroad. Our navy is patrolling the waters of the Arabian Sea and the coast of Somalia for pirates and terrorists. Our Army and Air Force are supporting UN Peacekeeping operations in the Middle East, the Balkans, Kosovo and Haiti. Canadian servicemen are supporting United Nations humanitarian operations in Haiti, Darfur, Sudan, Somalia, Sierra Leone and the democratic republic of the Congo.
Most of the Canadians soldiers serving abroad today are deployed to Afghanistan where, sadly, 97 Canadians have died since 2001. Albert Storm, Angelicia’s uncle and my regimental brother, was one of them.
Many Canadians are confused as to why Canada is fighting in Afghanistan but I am not. And nor should you be. We are in Afghanistan today because it is the right thing to do. Just as it was the right thing to do when Canada sent its sons and daughters to fight in WWI and II, Korea, the Persian Gulf when Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait, on several violent peacekeeping missions, to Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo.
Today, Canadian soldiers are bringing peace, prosperity and hope to the downtrodden people of Afghanistan just as we have, with great success, brought peace, prosperity and hope to millions of people throughout the world during the past century.
Our troops, Canada’s veterans, do this willingly and with great pride because we know, through our sacrifice, that we can provide a state of peace for the children of Afghanistan just as we have done for the children of Cyprus, Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo.
We do this because we know that when children grow up with love and in a peaceful environment, they become adults who seek peace over violence, discussion over war, compromise over inflexibility, freedom over oppression and love over hate.
Lest we forget.
I would like to conclude by reciting the Royal Canadian Regiment’s official prayer on behalf of Corporal Albert Storm, my regimental brother. I do this with a hope that you will think of Corporal Storm’s sacrifice for Canada and the children of Afghanistan during the moment of silence at the eleventh hour. I do this hoping that you take that moment to offer a silent prayer for Albert, his friends who continue to fight for peace in Afghanistan and his family on this sad day.
Almighty God; we humbly implore thy blessing on The Royal Canadian Regiment and all of us who serve therein. Help us to prove worthy to accept the high ideals and traditions of the past; to honour and revere the memory of those who have gone before us; to face our responsibilities in the future, in both peace and war, with courage, justice, love, honesty, and faithfulness. Remove all greed, hatred, selfishness, and envy from our thoughts that we may render true service to the Regiment and for Thee our God; for our fellow man; and "For Country".
Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today, you have all been very kind.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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Posts: 3965
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Albert's grave. While I was there I spoke with he staff reference the memorial service and we are having on the 27th and they told me TWELVE hundred veterans are buried there. I would say that Albert has good company.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Jim Hickson
CWO H.J. Hickson, MMM, CD. (Retd)
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Hi Mike
Very nice talk and you look great in your blazer! You're right, Albert is in safe hands.
Jim
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1961-Depot San Lenorado
1962-1st Bn RCR Ex Gagetown
1962-JR NCO Course Grad 19 Oct
1962-1965 Germany B-C-D-A Coy (Revecated Nov 64)
1965-1967 Sigs Pl Cyprus Prom CPL 'til xmas and C of Drums
1967-1973 Cpl, MCpl, Sgt, Sigs, D Coy
1973-1977 CFOCS Chilliwack Prom WO
1977-1982 UEO, Sigs, Pl WO RECCE, CSM B&A Coy,
1982-1984 SIT School
1984-1988 Career Manager (Prom CWO 1986)
1988-1990 RSM 1RCR
1991-1995 CWO Adm(Per) - C Of S
1995-1999 Base CWO Wainwright
1999-Retired
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Gerry Connors
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Beautiful speech Mike
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1RCR Duke's Coy '82 - '87; Cyprus '84 / '85
LOTPed medic 1988; CFH Halifax '88 - '90
119 AD Bty medic, CFB Chatham '90 - '95
2RCR medic '95 - '00; SFOR Bosnia, 2RCR Roto 4 '99;
42 Hlth Svc Gagetown '00 - '02
CFRC Gagetown / Fredericton '02 - '06; 'retired' Aug '06
HMCS Jolliet, Sept-Iles QC, medical staff / 'tiffy' (reserves)
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 3965
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Thanks Guys, by the time i was finished, not a sound could be heard throughout the auditorium and, by God, there were a looooot of kids. Kind of intimidating, frankly. ;-) It did feel good though and I intend on doing it again next year. For older kids, though, cause it kind of hard to plant the regimental seed in kids so young.
After the grave site, it was off to Merriton, where our brother in arms, Ernie Wetzel laid the Niagara charter's wreath.
We hooked up at the local legion wherein we met another fine Royal Canadian. Does anybody recognize this fellow?
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 3965
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Ernie, infinitely wiser then I, decided to stay in Merriton so it was off to RCL 24, downtown St Catherines in search of fellow royals...
More to follow...
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Bill Norman
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Excellent speech Mike. From what i remember, you were never stuck for words.
Gord looks pretty good to.
Bill
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Ken Rispin
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Hi Mike
Excellent Speach
Ken
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 3965
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Thanks brothers... then it was off to Niagara with James Kacsmarek in tow. First 479 where we met up with Al Morris and Doug Hitche and I forgot the damn camera in the car then on to 51, where we hooked up with a Patricia who was visiting town and this Indian dude who claimed to me a vet of the US marine corps. Do rah.
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 3965
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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After a couple of pits stops, one where we lost the marine somewhere, a pause at the ANAF Club then off to our final destination, one of my favourite watering holes, the Queens House Tavern. I must say, I was amazed Jimmy boy was still upright... outstanding performance! The Particia kid, much as I hate to say, outlasted us
And then, prior to retreat after nine hours of flying the flag, the piece de resistance...
The communal meal of fries... Tallyho!
Can't wait till next year!
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Wayne OToole
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Looking healthy Mike. Been a long time since I saw Gord Romard also. So at your ripe old age, I think you can be forgiven for not out lasting the Patricia. That's just another torch being passed.......
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Wayne O'Toole
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ranrad
Ron [Andy] Andrews
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A real nice talk Mike, and a great folowup thru many areas of Remembrance...great stuff.. and thanks for getting out there and doing it...ranrad
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RCAF,CAF, converted RCR?,1RCR 74-77 CD: SSM (Nato);CPSM,;UN-Cyp.; UN- Golan
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 3965
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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Next year there will be one difference... No drambuie! And the mission will been about four hours shorter... I'm getting to old for those marathon events. 
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Tony Giacomelli
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Well Mike at least you had enough " Sense " to stay away from the Jagermeister ! Cheers Tony
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Mike Blais
SSM (NATO Bar), CPSM, UN-Cyp, CD
Ultimate 2000+ Member
Offline
Gender:
Posts: 3965
A ROYAL CANADIAN "NEVER PASSES A FAULT"
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I wish! Unfortunately, I like the jaggy and my buddy owns the the last place we were and he serves it serves it ice cold...
Maybe next year, you can join us?
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1RCR 1977-79 Depot (Italy PL), B Coy, Mortars, Pioneers, D Coy (CFB London)
3RCR 1979-82 M Coy, Pipes & Drums, Sigs, Mortars. (CFB Baden-Soellingen)
1RCR 1982-88 Mortars. Dukes, Cyprus-Welfare NCO 84-85, Injured, WO&Sgts Mess, (CFB London)
1988-92 Med-remuster to HELL/ 35 DU, CFB Baden
1992 Medical release. God Bless you all!
Pro Patria
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Tony Giacomelli
Veteran 200+ Member
Offline
Posts: 235
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Hey Mike ; Pencil me in !  7D Out
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Jim Hickson
CWO H.J. Hickson, MMM, CD. (Retd)
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Hi Donald
(Newfoundland Regiment, No. 3 Platoon, A Company, Fort George, Scotland, ca. 1915. Courtesy of the Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador (PANL B-3-18), St. John's, Newfoundland)
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1961-Depot San Lenorado
1962-1st Bn RCR Ex Gagetown
1962-JR NCO Course Grad 19 Oct
1962-1965 Germany B-C-D-A Coy (Revecated Nov 64)
1965-1967 Sigs Pl Cyprus Prom CPL 'til xmas and C of Drums
1967-1973 Cpl, MCpl, Sgt, Sigs, D Coy
1973-1977 CFOCS Chilliwack Prom WO
1977-1982 UEO, Sigs, Pl WO RECCE, CSM B&A Coy,
1982-1984 SIT School
1984-1988 Career Manager (Prom CWO 1986)
1988-1990 RSM 1RCR
1991-1995 CWO Adm(Per) - C Of S
1995-1999 Base CWO Wainwright
1999-Retired
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Don Marche
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The Fighting Newfoundlanders.. Better Than The Best.
Don
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1964-1965 RCR Depot North West Canada Pl,
A Coy 2 RCR London
1965-1968 B Coy 2 RCR Fort York Germany,
Promoted to Cpl 68.
1968-1973 D Coy 1 RCR London,
Promoted M\Cpl 69
1970 Cyprus
Promoted to Sgt 73
Took my release in Sep 1973 Rank Sgt
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SSM, Peace Keeping, UN-Cyprus, Queen's Jubilee, CD1
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Jim Hickson
CWO H.J. Hickson, MMM, CD. (Retd)
Ultimate 2000+ Member
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Hi Don
"Better Than The Best" well said!
Jim
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1961-Depot San Lenorado
1962-1st Bn RCR Ex Gagetown
1962-JR NCO Course Grad 19 Oct
1962-1965 Germany B-C-D-A Coy (Revecated Nov 64)
1965-1967 Sigs Pl Cyprus Prom CPL 'til xmas and C of Drums
1967-1973 Cpl, MCpl, Sgt, Sigs, D Coy
1973-1977 CFOCS Chilliwack Prom WO
1977-1982 UEO, Sigs, Pl WO RECCE, CSM B&A Coy,
1982-1984 SIT School
1984-1988 Career Manager (Prom CWO 1986)
1988-1990 RSM 1RCR
1991-1995 CWO Adm(Per) - C Of S
1995-1999 Base CWO Wainwright
1999-Retired
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