2nd Annual Defence Community Family Appreciation Days Ottawa: June 2 - 3, 2012

[J.Mosher]

All,

The following message from on high.....(I'm starting to feel like a phrophet )


From Mark;

I have been in contact with the CFSU(O) event coordinators and have the following information to share.

The CF Family Appreciation Day will take place over two days this year - June 2nd from 1000 to 1630 hrs and June 3rd from 1000 to 1530 respectively.

The OMVA and larger military veh family has been invited to participate and I have discussed the issues of vehicle security/protection (there have been lots of comments on this) and they have agreed to rope off the area and to provide volunteers to assist us in ensuring the little kiddies aren't crawling all over our stuff (unless approved by the owners). I understand from CFSU(O) that the Canadian War Museum will also be participating and mil veh will all be co-located as was done last year.

Lunch is to be provided, and I am told in a better fashion from last year. No word on the band that was playing last year (I understand Don D wanted to join them.) Gas, however, we are on our own. They will also have drip pads for us (no they are not depends).

For those interested in assisting, please email me and let me know of your interest. I have to provide them with an indication of how many will be participating, which day(s) and also let me know what specific veh you would be bringing as well (so that they can figure out how much space to allocate). They have not provided a drop-dead date as to when they need this information but I would ask that you let me know by Fri 4 May (which gives all of us plenty of time to forget). My email is mark.paine@aadnc-aandc.gc.ca .

I have already mentioned to them that if pers are to attend both days that it is more than likely some of us will remove our veh from the site at night and bring back the next day.

Thanks to Jeff for helping me get this on MLU. I will retry registering to the site.

[Robin Craig]

Hmm, wonder if my new work truck will be in by then and kitted out . . . somehow doubt it, shame . . . would love to show off some armour not owned by the CF on tracks . . . what to choose . . . ?

I saw a spare electric cattle fence in the barn the other day . . . . .

Don't know if I will be building a house by then, will have to see.

Two days?

Are they doing overnight security?

R

[Gunner]

Good afternoon all:

An update from my personal point of view:

I spent a great deal of energy negotiating the Swords and Poughshares Museum's participation in this worthwhile event as we had decided that it would be our big show of the year for this season. Things went very well and we had an agreement on camping, support, what we would bring and where we would set up, etc, etc.

Unfortunately, late in the process the decision to allow us to camp was reversed and I felt we couldn't participate if we couldn't guard our stuff. Military Police and Corps of Commissionares will be patrolling 24 hours a day during the event, however, I wasn't comfortable with that seeing as there is a big concert planned with an open beer tent right next to where we were to set up. We were to be allowed to have our own security picquette but no camping. The number of blanks we could fire also became an issue; so, all things being equal, my volunteers have voted with their feet and we have reduced our contribution significantly.

We will be particpating on Saturday only, with one truck (likely the CCKW) and the six pounder, which will fire once at 1300 hrs. We will arrive at 0900 and depart at 1600 hrs. This isn't sour grapes, just an honest assessment of what we can do within existing constraints and with the volunteers available.

Looking forward to seeing many of you there (with rope barriers and barbed wire?)

Mike

[Robin Craig]

Mike,

interesting risk management by you, hope you have a good time, still bouncing round fields and planting soy beans, so wont be there.

R

[Gunner]

Robin:

Just don't be out in the middle of a wide open field when one of the thunderstorms passes through!

Mike