Admiral Desmond Piers Naval Association
2007 Slate of Officers
PresidentMartin Field (902) 527-2660
Imm. Past Pres.Maurice Legault(902) 634-3285
1st Vice PresidentMilton Williams(902) 543-4997
2nd Vice PresidentLeo Sampson(902) 354-5027
Secretary/MembershipJerry Sigrist(902) 543-6763
TreasurerElmer Mason(902) 543-4168
Master-at-ArmsIvan Foote(902) 644-3629
RCNA DirectorJerry Sigrist(902) 543-6763
Committees:
Entertainment Ivan Foote (902) 644-3629
Supply OfficerDave Heming(902) 543-7054
Historian
MonumentDoc Halliday(902) 685-2342
Bursary ChairmanGordon Crouse(902)
Webmaster
ChaplainLarry Truelove(902) 354-2901
Sick & Visiting CommitteeBridgewaterDave Heming(902) 543-7054
LunenburgMoe Legault(902) 634-3285
LiverpoolLarry Truelove(902) 354-2901
ChesterBob Whiteside(902) 275-4910
Board of Directors
Jerry Sigrist (Chairman)
Maurice Legault
Doc Halliday
Martin Field
Ivan Foote
Larry Truelove
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Royal Canadian Naval Association - National Executive.
PresidentJohn McGovernAdmiral Hose Br. - WindsorOntario
Imm. Past Pres.John SullivanMontrealQuebec
Exec. Vice PresKen MacAskillThunder Bay Naval Vets - Thunder Bay Ont.
Vice Pres. (Mbship)Blaine BarkerNorth Bay Br. RCNA - North Bay Ont.
TreasurerHarold QuickSault Ste. Marie RCNA
Exec SecretaryGerald SigristAdmiral Desmond Piers NA,BridgewaterNS
Recording Sec.Don SpienceBrant Naval Vets, BrantfordON
Parl. & Vets AffairsDoc HallidayAdmiral Desmond Piers NA,BridgewaterNS
Area Vice Presidents
British ColumbiaJoe DuffyPenticton NVA.
MaritimesJerry SigristAdmiral Desmond Piers Naval Association
NW Ontario & ManFrancis RossMan. & North Shore NVA, SudburyON
PrairiesJune GreigEdmonton RCNA
S. Central Ont.Doug SephtonDEMS Association
SW OntarioGerry CoulterLondonNaval Veterans , LondonON
National Supply OfficerDon SpieceBrant Naval Vets BrantfordON,519-753-8904
Message From The Bridge.
Well here we are winding down another year. Fall is upon us and we are looking ahead to Christmas and getting our wheels ready for the winter.
The Annual RCNA AGM has concluded with our Shipmate, Gerald “Jerry” Sigrist, bringing home “Shipmate of the Year” and “Area Vice-President of the Year” and yet another title to his armful that he already has. His newest title is “National Executive Secretary”. Congratulations Shipmate Sigrist ADPNA Secretary, ADPNA Membership Chairman, ADPNA Board of Directors, ADPNA RCNA Director, RCNA Area Vice-President and National Executive Secretary.
Along with the above awards Shipmate Sigrist and Shipmate “Doc” Halliday were presented with the “Beaver Medal”, a project of the Canadian Confederation Centennial Committee of British Columbia and the first awarded to Robert S. Maxwell on January 1st 1963. The Beaver Medal was struck from copper fittings taken from the SS Beaver, and represents the contribution to history which the SS Beaver made in the early days of the Province of British Columbia. The recipients have been selected, not for bravery in battle or heroic efforts on the battle front, but for the contribution they have and continue to make to the country and community in which they live and serve. They were recognized for their personal leadership, sharing their personal talent, providing enjoyment to others, research for better living conditions. Above all else, being the silent role model for all to follow.
Our summer picnic and BBQ day was a great event once more, with breakfast being helped along by Shipmate Michael Sigrist and his wife Noreen. Their help was greatly appreciated. What a wonderful day we had, with lovely weather, good friends and spirited play at the many games that were held. A big thank you goes out to Shipmate Foote and all of his volunteers, without them the day would not have happened.
Again we are enclosing “raffle” tickets for a case of Christmas “Turkeys: (12 of your flavour) to be drawn for December 7, 2007. More details later in the Newsletter.
We will be holding elections in January and will be looking for some fresh new blood to take up the slack and join the Executive. I encourage the membership to come out and be seen and heard. This is your ASSOCIATION; please think about what you may be able to do to see it prosper.
It is my wish that every member enjoys a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a JOYOUS and HAPPY NEW YEAR.
Shipmate Martin Field, President ADPNA
………………………………......
Entertainment Chairman
Annual Christmas Dinner and Dance.
Date:Friday December 7th, 2007
Place:Royal Canadian Legion, Churchill St., Bridgewater
Time:1730 - Up Spirits
1830 - Hands to Dinner
O/C Dinner approx 2000 - 2359 dancing to the music of Grant Smith & Friends.
Dress:Casual - As you like
Price:Tickets are $20.00 per person. Guests are invited.
A 50/50 draw will be held during the fun and games.
Dinner:Full turkey dinner with all trimmings plus wine.
Prizes:The raffle for a case of wine will be held.
Prizes will be drawn for bottles of wine.
50/50 tickets will be available.
Motel of Choice:Bogan Villa Inn (former Bridgewater Motor inn) High StreetBridgewater.
Meet & Greet will be held during the afternoon in the hospitality room at the Inn.
Dinner tickets will be available from one of the following:
Entertainment Chairman Ivan Foote 902-644-3629
President Martin Field 902-527-2660
Secretary Jerry Sigrist 902-543-6763 (will mail tickets on receiving payment)
All members are encouraged to attend and bring your friends. Guests are more than welcome.
Have a good time as I am sure you will.
Shipmate Ivan Foote, Entertainment Chairman
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Musings from the Editor
Christmas Raffle:
Enclosed you will find two books of tickets for our Christmas Raffle. If you do not want them yourself, please try and sell them to your friends or neighbours and return cash and stubs or unused tickets to our Secretary at our Association Address. Thanks Very Much. The winner of the Summer Raffle was our good member from Newfoundland, Shipmate Marshall Mullins.
2010 Celebrations
The year 2010 is fast approaching. Because this is the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy, there will be many things happening all over Canada to celebrate this momentous year. Many of the RCNA clubs in Canada have already come up with some very good ideas to consider. Although a couple of ideas were discussed at our last meeting, to date, our club is still searching. Please put your mind to work to make it happen. We would appreciate any or all ideas because we don’t want to be left in the lurch and be the only club not taking part.
Dedication of Monument in Memory of Admiral Desmond Piers.
As most Shipmates are aware, our Monument to our namesake, Admiral Desmond Piers, was unveiled this spring. It is a beautiful piece of work and, if you were not at the dedication ceremonies and haven’t seen it, you are encouraged to add it to your list of places to visit. It sits on Chester Municipal Property adjacent to Janet Piers’ residence on the waterfront in Chester, NS.
Membership:Membership stands at 139, all classes of Membership.
Dues:
Dues are a very important part of keeping the club alive. There are a few outstanding for 2007. Please check the envelope this newsletter came in and, if the expiry date is Dec 31, 2006, I expect to see your cheque for $15.00 shortly. If you are anything like me, you may be forgetful at times (Senior Moments). You can also check your membership card.
I am accepting Dues for 2008, many are already in. There are eight members overdue for 2007 and they will be dropped from membership. This will be their last issue of the newsletter.
Address:Our new address is on the envelope, but is repeated here for your information. Please address all Association correspondence to this address:
Admiral Desmond Piers Naval Association
450 LaHave St. Unit 17. Suite 121
Bridgewater, NS B4V 4A3
Kit Shop:Shipmate David Heming, our very congenial Supply Officer, keeps a good inventory of souvenir and regalia items of interest. Check it out at (kit shop) or call Dave 902-543-7054.
Projects:
The ADPNA had a number of worthwhile projects underway in 2007 which are keeping a few Shipmates very busy: 1. 53rd RCNA Reunion 18-20 May - was a great success;
2. Monument to the Memory of Admiral Piers - completed and unveiled, another success story;
3. Scholarship and Bursary for Sea Cadets - ongoing;
4. Candlelight Ceremonies - ongoing, to be performed at schools during Battle of the Atlantic week;
5. donations to deserving Charities - ongoing; and
6. entertainment.
As you know, a lot of work is being done by very few volunteers. We always appreciate more volunteers and/or suggestions for our projects. These are discussed at our monthly meetings, so make an effort to attend and find out what the ADPNA is all about.
Scholarship & Bursary
As was described in our last Newsletter, the ADPNA has initiated a Bursary to go to a deserving Sea Cadet serving in a Corps from Chester to Yarmouth to Cornwallis. This will help a Cadet pursue goals at a recognized University, College or Community College. Mrs. Janet Piers is also establishing a living memorial to her late husband. She is donating a sum to sustain this memorial at no cost to us. Both scholarships, Admiral Desmond Piers Naval Association Bursary and Admiral Desmond Piers Memorial Scholarship Trust will be administered by the ADPNA and both will be no less than $500.00 per annum. The 2007 Bursary winners are:
CPO1 Melissa Bullen RCSCC Neptune, LunenburgNS; and
CPO2 Sarah Biddle RCSCC Niobe, BridgewaterNS
Remember - These Cadets are our future.
Websites; if you are on the internet, don’t forget to check out this site on a regular basis. All the latest information pertaining to the Admiral Desmond Piers NA is posted here, as well as a lot of good photos. This site is now under the good hand of Webmaster and Club President Martin Field.
the RCNA National website. A lot of good information on the Royal Canadian Naval Association is listed here including some good links. You will also find a good deal of information relating to Veterans and Sailors. When he isn’t off to Ottawa or Winnipeg or wherever, the webmaster Robert “Zulu” Currie works hard to keep this site up to date, so make it worthwhile and click on regularly. You will be pleasantly surprised.
Sick & Visiting Committee:BridgewaterDave Heming543-7054
LunenburgMaurice Legault 634-3285
LiverpoolLarry Truelove354-2901
ChesterBob Whiteside275-4910
Shipmate Len Haley is convalescing at home and we wish him well.
Shipmate Steve Daubs will enter hospital on the 25th for a rather serious operation. Good luck Steve.
Shipmate Bernie Churchill is in Camp Hill hospital in Halifax - Veterans Wing.
Annual RCNA AGM
Shipmates Doc Halliday and Jerry Sigrist in their capacities as National Executive Members and our 1st Vice President, Shipmate Milton Williams, as an observer, attended the Annual General Meeting in Kitchener-Waterloo the end of September. Written reports are forthcoming because the Minutes are not yet completed. As the President mentioned, I was extremely pleased to be awarded the RCNA Shipmate of the Year as well as the Area Vice-President of the year. These awards are voted on by the Area Vice Presidents with the Executive Vice President overseeing. As well during the dinner on Saturday evening Shipmate Doc Halliday and I received the Beaver Medal as explained by the President in his message from the Bridge.
A New Crowsnest
Crowsnest Vol 1 No 1 Summer 2007
For nearly 20 years Crowsnest was the navy’s national newspaper, reaching all those with an interest in the life of their navy. We’ve revived the name for a new publication with an unchanged goal of providing a bird’s eye view of the navy, from all points of the horizon. Crowsnest will complement our other print and web-based products, and reach a broader audience. It is aimed at all who would like a better understanding of our navy, as well as an appreciation for our sailors and air personnel and the great work they do for the country around the world. Crowsnest will provide a forum for news, feature articles and updates on topics from across the navy - at sea and ashore. Much of what we do is accomplished far from the view of anyone but other mariners, and whether it is at home, in local waters, or further abroad, we’ll be using Crowsnest to tell some of our stories.
We look forward to your comments and suggestions. Welcome aboard!
Vice-Admiral Drew Robertson. Chief of the Maritime Staff.
The Crowsnest can be found at
Some things to remember - If you hear of anyone sick at home or in hospital, please call one of the Sick and Visiting Committee or any Executive Member. Sometimes this information falls through the cracks.
Days of Yore
October 19 1940HMCS Bras D’or - lost - 30 in crew
October 22 1940HMCS Margaree - collision - 142 lost
October 21 1943HMCS Chedabucto - collision - 1 lost
October 28 1944HMCS Skeena - grounding - 0 lost
October 2 1952HMCS Iroquois - hit by enemy fire in Korea - 3 killed
October 23 1969HMCS Kootenay - explosion - 9 die
October 11 1949The Mainguy report on the RCN status was published
October 28 1955HMCS St. Laurent II commissioned
October 15 1958HMCS Ontario paid off
If you move or have a change of address or phone number, I would appreciate knowing. Some newsletters and even a couple membership cards have been returned as address unknown. I do my best to keep the address list up to date but need your help.
Please address all correspondence to our address listed above and on the envelope.
“The Admiral’s Log” is the official newsletter of the Admiral Desmond Piers Naval Association. It is published periodically.
The opinions, which may be expressed herein, are not necessarily those of the Association or its members. Some articles appearing in this newsletter are from other similar publications, websites or books of naval interest and can be reprinted provided appropriate credit is given.
Ed. - As I have taken on another job with the National Executive of the RCNA, I will be stepping down as Editor of this newsletter come election time in January. This will probably be my last edition as Editor, but I’m sure I will help with some input to whoever takes it on. Volunteers please come forward. - Jerry Sigrist