Comox

[maple_leaf_eh]

Changing the subject to another part of your work, fielding any calls about the diver who might have found a lost dummy nuke?

FWIW, we had a little excitement after the papers had a story about supposedly illegitimate boundary lines on maps.

[Robert Bergeron]

Friends,

Tomorrow, when my eyes align with my sockets , I will tell you more about our brave and dedicated men and women in uniform who protect our coasts and patrol the oceans looking for foreign warships, submarines, smugglers and polluters .

[Robert Bergeron]

Friends,

I have to run to Vancouver for a tasking so a quick message for today.

I went for a 6 hour maritime patrol lately with members of 407 ( LR) Sqn .

It was an awesome experience and I will tell you more when I return on Monday/Tuesday .

Don't forget Remembrance Day tomorrow.

Hug a Vet if he is your dad or mom and thank him/ her for me !

Cheers.

[Robert Bergeron]

Here is the sequel to what I started before working all week end long in Vancouver.

My hosts were a CP-140 Aurora crew from 407 ( LR ) Sqn.

The view from the cockpit of the mountains of the interior of Vancouver Island was spectacular.

[Robert Bergeron]

Here we have another view of the mountains inside Vancouver Island , enroute to Tofino .

And then we see CFB Comox and the airfield from 10,000 '

In the last shot a place called Goose Spit in Comox proper .

That is were the RCAF Marine Rescue Boats and Marine Detachment are .

It is here where the RCAF aircrew Sea survival courses are held.

[Robert Bergeron]

I was in Vancouver on Remembrance Day 16.

Went to the downtown ceremony on the advice of friend Harry Moon because it was the closest one to the ferry and time was of the essence...

After the officials in attendance went away , the public was invited to present their poppies on the monument as a mark of personal respect for our fallen.

Did as invited and thought of the friends and comrades who had lost their lives , their physical or mental health while performing their duties for Canada.

A stranger put his hand on my shoulder and said thanks for your service Sir. It felt good to be encouraged by someone who appreciated .

Then I was invited to a party at the renovated Seaforth's Highlanders of Canada Armoury over on Burrard St. and was received like a long lost friend although I was a complete stranger to them .

There I met the son of my personal hero : General Bertram Hoffmeister . I could not believe the luck I had to meet with him. Thank you CO of the Seaforths ! So happens that the General's son is their honorary LCol.

Long story short , I used Gen Hoffmeister's wartime career as a subject for my leadership essay at JCSP Toronto ( Staff College ) 3 years ago. that's how I got to know about the illustrious wartime career of this Citizen soldier reservist. He was a Captain in a militia unit ( Seaforths H .) at the beginning of the war and retired in 1946 as a Major General.

Anyway, drank a few with the boys in the Mess , forgot about the world's and my own troubles for a few hours and made my way to my hotel . I had to work early the next morning.

Thank-you for your hospitality Vancouver !

Long live the Highlanders !

[Robert Bergeron]

On a lighter note , there was a United Way fundraiser event recently on the Wing.

It is an annual competition called the Buff pull.

The idea is to pull a Buffalo SAR plane with your team a certain distance in the least amount of time.

I was greatly impressed by enthusiasm demonstrated by the teams.

Great idea for a great cause !

Cuddos for all the 19 wing personnel who participated.