HAMPTON GRAY V.C. CHAPTER
OTAWA, CANADA
Founded 1984
Charter Members
Ray Harkins,
Stu Miller, Don Hunter, Jim Mills
Fred Lucas, Roger Rioux, Buck McCallum, Chuck Rolfe
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227th MEETING 23 November 2011 “Annual Hampton Gray VC Chapter Wine & Cheese” HGVC Chapter held its annual Wine & Cheese at the Canada Aviation
and Space Museum (CASM) this past Wednesday, November 23rd, with 65 plus CNAGers and friends in attendance. This year was indeed a
very special event in that we had the pleasure of His
Excellency Kaoru Ishikawa, the Japanese Ambassador to Canada, and his First Secretary, Atsuya
Tanimoto as our guests. The Ambassador gave an excellent
update on the progress made in rebuilding the areas devastated by the
earthquake and subsequent tsunami, and thanked those present, and all
Canadians, for their generous support of this enormous task. He also spent much
of the evening meeting with members of our Group, in particular, the attending
members of the Gray family, Jane Underwood, Marcia and Nick George,
Kristen Underwood, & Nicholas Clarke, the Tates,
the MacLeans, the Murrays, the McEwans,
the Codys and most of our guests as well. All-in-all,
a fantastic fun filled evening! Sick/Recovering: Ted Forman is still fighting back, as are Keith and Margaret McEwen. Both Keith and Margaret attended the function and seemed in their usual fine form. Deceased: Unfortunately, this has been another sad period for CNAGers as we have lost several more of our shipmates: Jim Hunter; Hal Davis: and most recently our Jack Moss of Ottawa, November 28, 2011. We Will Remember Them!Executive Reports: National Chairman – Paul advised that he has attended a number
of special commemorative functions and/or Veterans’ organization meetings of
late and that our CNAG organization is still highly respected and actively
sought after to provide constructive advice with-respect-to several of the
current and future issues that will undoubtedly affect all Veterans. (Ed. Note: Paul’s recent letter to the
Prime Minister is a good example of this.) President – Peter reported on the progress of the last
two major CNAG initiatives from the Naval Centennial; Bud MacLean’s Belt of
Orion submission to recognize Canadian Naval Aviation and our successful
submission to the historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada to honour the
birthplace of Canadian Naval Aviation.
This latter initiative will take place synonymously with the 50th
Anniversary of the Sea King in summer, 2013.
He expressed the sincere and heartfelt appreciation to Paul and Debbie
Baiden, and to their good friend, Carm Horichuk, who for several
years, with them, has contributed
long hours of hard labour, innovative spirit and her warm, welcoming
personality, in setting up and hosting the Annual HGVC Wine and Cheese
Christmas Reception. Thanks to these
three special people, we enjoyed another highly successful event. Secretary/PR – Paul reported that he and the HGVC Exec
will be investigating a place to hold the “Annual Dine the Ladies” and he
also thanked Peter, Dave and Bud for their assistance in making this year’s
“Canada Remembers Week” static display at Billings Bridge another great
success. Treasurer – Roger confirmed we are still solvent. Upcoming Events: “Annual Dine the Ladies” in Feb (Date TBA). We truly hope that all CNAGers and friends
thereof, have a safe, fantastic, fun filled Xmas, rewarding New Year and all
the joys that friendships such as those developed through CNAG can offer! Yours in Naval Air, Paul
Baiden Peter
Milsom Secretary HGVC President |