March - april 2007 Volume 30 Issue 2 July - August 2009 Volume 32 Issue 4

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1 March - april 2007 Volume 30 Issue 2 July - August 2009 Volume 32 Issue 4 Getting ready for the Hyack Parade. Four jeeps and a gama-goat turned out for the New Westminster Hyack Parade The Happy Gang at the parade

2 The Executive: President - Harry Moon Vice President - Ian Fryatt Secretary - Thomas Houghton Treasurer - Dean Wilcox Dinner is served! The roast beast is being removed from the spit On July 5th Western Command held a barbecue at the CMEC site in Chilliwack. Those that attended had lots of food, fun and free tank rides. Justin digger Foulkes-Taylor did fair dinkum with an Aussie style roast on his custom spit. Tanks to Mark Fleming for being so generous with his T55 and putting big smiles on the kids (all sizes) faces.

3 From the Archives by Sgt T.H. (ret d) Lessons from Geese As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird following. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range that if the bird flew alone. LESSON: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are travelling on the thrust of one another. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of him. LESSON: If we have as much sense as the goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go and be willing to accept their help as well as give ours to others. When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies as the point position. LESSON: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership...with people, as geese, we are interdependent on each other. The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. LESSON: We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging...and not something else. When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again or dies. Then they launch out on their own, with another formation, or catch up with the flock. LESSON: If we have as much sense as geese, we too will stand by eacg other in difficult times as well as when we are strong. Historical Arms Collectors of B.C. remaining shows for 2009 at 4333 Ledger Ave., Burnaby July12, August 15-16, September 13th, October 11th, November 14-15th and December 13th. Freedom Route 3 - As this is the last meeting and newsletter before the event please check the website for any updates or call John or john.e.hawthorne@gmail.com The Artificial Reef Society of B.C. is looking for volunteers to help prepare the former HMCS Annapolis for its future as a home for sealife. Work parties meet at the Blue Coffee House in Horseshoe Bay. For further info contact Thomas Houghton at *** important membership info*** It is now July so you should have renewed your membership by now. This will be the last newsletter sent to members who have not renewed.

4 Wanted: For M NOS, rebuilt, or "good" used engine and at least 1 diff. Would prefer one of those end-to-end slide in packages but will also even settle for just one "good" cylinder head for now... 1 good Michelin wrapped "Iltis" wheel for a cdn trailer spare. Ian Price iprice@the-hole.com The Canadian Military Education Centre located on the former CFB Chilliwack had an interesting visitor recently. Retired Major-General Lewis MacKenzie toured the facility and was quite impressed. He readily agreed to not only endorse the museum, but to also become an honorary director. I ve got a really warm spot for this area and what these guys are doing here, he said. Major-General MacKenzie (ret d) chats with WW2 veteran Tom Jackson. Mr Jackson was a bomber pilot and was shot down over Germany. He was sent to Stalag Luft III and was one of the tunnel diggers of the Great Escape. Kelowna member Grant Johnson has been busy this summer as well. Grant and others participated in the local Canada Day parade. They will be displaying their vehicles at the Orchid Park shopping centre for 3 days at the end of July to promote the Freedom Route 3 convoy. They will also attend the Vernon gun and antique show the last weekend of July. ***NOTICE*** Due to the fact that the August meeting falls on the week of the Freedom Route 3 convoy the August meeting will NOT be held at the Legion

5 Exercise Western Spirit One of Canada s little known military groups is the Canadian Rangers. It was formed in 1947 to ensure Canadian territorial security and surveillance of remote coastlines and territory. From the end of January to the beginning of March this year, the Rangers took part in an epic 3400 km trip via Light Over Snow Vehicles (LOSV-snowmobile) from Kitimat, B.C. to Churchill, Manitoba. The members are from various detachments across the north, led by officers from the 4th Canadian Rangers Patrol Group. Exercise Western Spirit was designed to showcase the unit capabilities and to put to test the skills and abilities of the Canadian Rangers. An online journal and photo record can be found at It sure highlites how much planning goes into a trip so be thankful we have members like John Hawthorne and Pat Papworth that step forward to organize trips like the Freedom Routes. Private Moon s lager for the Victoria Day encampment at Fort Rodd Hill. Reports from the field show the WW2 camp was well received. The Vancouver Island members put 11 vehicles in the Victoria Day Parade in, what else, Victoria. How about some photos?? Events: July 8-12th - Arlington Fly-in August 7-9th - Abbotsford Airshow August 9-16th - Freedom Route 3 The convoy will depart the airshow Sunday and overnight at the CMEC in Chilliwack. A kick-off ceremony and pancake breakfast will start the trip. We will be visiting the following communities and Legions; Merritt, Kamloops, Chase, Salmon Arm, Enderby, Vernon, Kelowna, Peachland, Summerland, Penticton, Okanagan Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos, Keremeos and Princeton. October- November - various remembrance events and ceremonies. Stay tuned. renew your membership to stay in the loop

6 Western Command Kit Shop- For sale: Western Command vehicle sticker - truck size $10.00 Western Command vehicle sticker - jeep size $5.00 Western Command embroidered patch $2.50 Red Ensign flag stickers - 4 wide $3.00 Please send payment made out to Western Command Military Vehicle Historical Society along with order including your name, mailing address and contact number to: Kit Shop Western Command MVHS 2837 St. James St. Port Coquitlam, B.C. Canada V3B 5G5 Next meetings are tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, September 9th and October 14th, The new location is the Royal Canadian Legion branch 263. The address is 1025 Ridgeway Ave., Coquitlam. Meeting time is 2000 hours (although the pre-meeting crowd gathers at the bar first). We meet the second Wednesday of every month. This is a nice venue with good parking and easy access to highways, etc. Website address is This newsletter is your newsletter. Your participation is very valuable. If you organize an event or take pictures at an event please share your info to the other members via the newsletter or website. The webmaster, Andy Hill, can be reached at wcmvhs@telus.net. The newsletter editor can be reached at: Bruce MacMillan Camwood Ave. Maple Ridge, B.C. V2X 2N9 or radio@telus.net or eyeball at club meetings