2019 Newsletter
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Patron: Mr. Raymond L. McFeetors Honourary President: Honorary Colonel Emőke Szathmáry, CM, OM, PhD Honourary Vice President: Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Albert El Tassi, CM, OM, LL.D 2019 NEWSLETTER The Foundation Trustees Ray Crabbe (President) Bob Poirier (Trustee) Dennis Tabbernor (Vice President Grants & John Robins (Trustee) Benefits) Bob Vandewater (Trustee) Don MacDonald (Secretary) Peter Sliwowski (Trustee) Eoghan O’Neil (Treasurer) Gerry Woodman (Trustee) President’s Report On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I am delighted to report that the initial goal of $200,000 in the Foundation’s Endowment Fund has been achieved. We have an additional $33,500 in the General Fund, some of which will eventually be transferred to the Endowment Fund. Reaching our goal was made possible from the $65,000 raised as part of the Legacy Stone Project. Achieving this goal essentially means that, in close cooperation with the Regimental Senate, The Board will begin providing financial support to the Regiment immediately. While the initial allocation will be limited, the Board is most pleased that we are now implementing the intended purpose of the Foundation; to provide financial support to all components of the Regiment. The provision of financial support will be based on a ‘call for funds’ in which all components of the Regiment request funds from the Foundation to meet specific Regimental Objectives. In addition, we have begun the process of allocating a scholarship to a serving Rifleman. This year the amount will be $500. We plan to increase this beginning next year. As reported in the fall 2018 Newsletter, the Legacy Stone Project is now complete. All members of the Regiment can be extremely proud of the Rifles Memorial in Vimy Ridge Memorial Park. It will serve as a wonderful reminder of the sacrifices and service of past, present and future Riflemen. The Foundation raised $330,000 (the total cost of the project) and an additional $65,000 for the Endowment Fund. We are indebted to the City of Winnipeg and Veterans Affairs Canada, and all those who purchased a Legacy Stone and helped make this project a total success. At its recent meeting, the Board decided to focus the fundraising efforts on scholarships for the next fiscal year. We will be appealing to individuals and corporations to consider sponsoring in perpetuity, an annual scholarship for members of the Regiment undergoing post-secondary education. Our goal during the fiscal year 2019/20 is to raise $65,000. The Board is also developing a long-term plan that will provide funding for on-going requirements and for special events such as the 150th Anniversary of the Regiment in 2033, and capital 1 ____________________________________________________________________ THE ROYAL WINNIPEG RIFLES FOUNDATION Suite 90, 680 Whytewold Road PO Box 17000 Station Forces Winnipeg, MB R3J 3Y5 purchases such as band instruments. This will assist with determining the overall funding required to ensure an optimum and continuing level of financial support to meet the Regimental Objectives. We anticipate having this plan completed by the Annual General Meeting in October. The Regiment is in the process of developing its website and has invited the Foundation to be part of it. In addition to providing a link to facilitate making a donation, the intention is to post the major governance documents to the site, as well as minutes of Board meetings and other pertinent information for Members and the public at large. The Treasurer is also investigating possible donor software to assist with the management of the donations and contributions, and the Foundation’s database. The Board approved the appointment of Eoghan O’Neil as Treasurer, replacing Bob Vandewater. Both have served on the Board since inception. Bob will continue as a Trustee. Many thanks to both for their stalwart work and support. Thanks again for all those who have contributed to the Foundation over the past several months. The Board is truly grateful for your generosity. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Memorial and Time Capsule Then Now In early 2016 The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Foundation began planning for a major fundraising activity that quickly segued into a major project to provide a means by which past and present members, friends of the Regiment and the public would be able to leave a permanent legacy of their service or support to The Royal Winnipeg Rifles. The project included very significant renovations and expansion of the Regimental Monument in Vimy Ridge Memorial Park, including the emplacement of Legacy Stones as part of the Memorial. Members and friends of the Regiment and corporations purchased Legacy Stones: • As a reminder of their service or support to the Regiment; • As a memorial to a friend or relative who served or supported the Regiment; • As a memorial to the sacrifices made by those who served with the Regiment; and • As an act of remembrance. 2 ____________________________________________________________________ THE ROYAL WINNIPEG RIFLES FOUNDATION Suite 90, 680 Whytewold Road PO Box 17000 Station Forces Winnipeg, MB R3J 3Y5 Battle Honour Stones were placed amongst the Legacy Stones as a tribute to those Riflemen who gave their lives. The project was a joint effort between The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Foundation and the City of Winnipeg. The Monument was elevated and expanded, and the pathways and lighting around the Memorial significantly upgraded. Initial conceptual view of the proposed Rifles Memorial and Legacy Stones. The project culminated with a Commemoration Service on 10 November 2018 during which the Rifles Memorial was unveiled. This service also commemorated the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War and the 135th anniversary of the Regiment, and provided an opportunity to rededicate the Regiment to the service of Canada. An Explanatory Stone was placed at the site to explain the purpose and background to the Legacy Stones and reads as follows: The Legacy Stones making up this Memorial have been emplaced as a permanent legacy by members and friends of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles (The Little Black Devils) to honour the contribution and sacrifices of the Regiment and members of Canada’s military in service to Canada. The Legacy Stones also reflect the Battle Honours awarded to the Regiment throughout its 135 years of service to Canada. Each Battle Honour stone is dedicated to those members of the Regiment who gave their lives in these battles. November 10, 2018. Honorary Colonel Emőke Szathmáry (left) and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Albert El Tassi (right) after having purchased the first two Legacy Stones. With Lieutenant-General (Retd) Ray Crabbe, President of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Foundation. 3 ____________________________________________________________________ THE ROYAL WINNIPEG RIFLES FOUNDATION Suite 90, 680 Whytewold Road PO Box 17000 Station Forces Winnipeg, MB R3J 3Y5 Members of the Regimental Senate, Regimental Association and Regimental Foundation meet with the City of Winnipeg, Larsen’s Memorials and Fabris and Watts to discuss the plans for the Rifles Memorial and surrounding area. Vimy Ridge Memorial Park 11 May 2018. A sod-turning on 3 July 2018 marked the start of the renovations on the Rifles Memorial. Taking part was from left to right: Pam Shaw (Veterans Affairs Canada), Megan Tate (The Winnipeg Foundation), Mayor Brian Bowman, LGen (Retd) Ray Crabbe (President The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Foundation), HCol Emőke Szathmáry and HLCol Albert El Tassi. Construction started in earnest with the moving of the monument from its plinth to allow the plinth to be removed and refinished and to permit the extensive work to begin. Lifting the Rifles Monument to make way for the new Memorial base. 4 ____________________________________________________________________ THE ROYAL WINNIPEG RIFLES FOUNDATION Suite 90, 680 Whytewold Road PO Box 17000 Station Forces Winnipeg, MB R3J 3Y5 Concurrently, Larsen’s Memorials were producing the Legacy Stones. Replacing the granite plinth on the new Memorial. Replacing the Monument on the newly constructed Memorial platform. The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Association (RWRA) assumed the task of funding and emplacing a time capsule as part of the project with the intent that it be opened on the Regiment’s 175th anniversary. The time capsule is made of a composite material, measuring 15.5” x 13.9” x 6”. The items in the time capsule include copies of the Winnipeg daily newspapers, letters from the Honorary Colonel, Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel, Presidents of The Royal Winnipeg Rifles Foundation, the Regimental Senate, the RWRA and the Commanding Officer as well as Regimental collar dogs, a list of The 5 ____________________________________________________________________ THE ROYAL WINNIPEG RIFLES FOUNDATION Suite 90, 680 Whytewold Road PO Box 17000 Station Forces Winnipeg, MB R3J 3Y5 Fallen and other items. Photos and biographies of the two Riflemen, Corporal Roman and Rifleman Southby, who emplaced the capsule, are also included. It is anticipated that these two Riflemen will return for the 175th Anniversary to re-open the capsule. The time capsule was emplaced under the Acknowledgement Stone during a short ceremony on 6 November 2018. Corporal Roman and Rifleman Southby emplacing the Time Capsule. On a bitterly cold and blustery 10 November, the Regiment paraded at Vimy Ridge Memorial Park to officially unveil the renewed Royal Winnipeg Rifles Memorial. Among the more than 500 members and friends of the Regiment in attendance were the Lieutenant Governor,