Steve was a proud member of 2 Commando, Canadian Airborne Regiment and the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the Royal Canadian Regiment.   He was also a qualified Pathfinder.  Steve was a very good friend to all who served with him including many of us on here at Commando . org.  He served 20 years in the Canadian Forces stationed at Gagetown, Edmonton, Petawawa, London and Cyprus.  He retired from the Forces after 20 years of dedicated service to his country.  He will be sadly missed by his family and all his Airborne and RCR brothers.

Fair winds and soft landings Brother.

The producers of the Paratroopers movie project have commissioned a limited edition print by the world famous aviation artist Robert Bailey to support the movie. Prints are available for $149 from http://www.paratroopers.ca or directly from Dixon Christie at dixon@paratroopers.ca.

For those who have not heard about the project, Paratroopers is the history of Canada’s military as told by Canada’s Airborne soldiers and veterans. It is in its fourth year of production and will be an eight part series. It has a goal of bringing our stories to as many people as possible.

The eight part DVD series is also available for pre-order from the website for $129. The pre-order Director’s Edition will ONLY be available in the special packaging on the PRE ORDER. The package will be hand signed by veterans from each of the movies and include bonus items that will make the series highly collectable. The DVD pre order campaign and print sales are the only way that they can raise the funds they need to finish production and edit the movies this winter.

Alan Thomas sent in a copy of his 8101 Basic Para photo and I have uploaded it to the unit photos section of the website. Head over and see if there is anyone you know.

If you have copies of unit or course photos that we don’t have, scan them and send them in.

Colin Bokovay was good enough to send in a copy of the course photo from Basic Para 7806, so I have uploaded it to the Unit Photos section of the website. Head over and see if you can identify anyone and if you have photos of your own that you would like to share, send them in and I will get them up.

On Sunday, October 30, 2011, Mr. Roger Scully of Vermilion passed away at the age of 67 years. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife Dorothy Scully; children Dan (Kelly) Scully and Cara (Micheal) Schalin; grandchildren Jayden and Ethan Scully, Jude and Joel Schalin; brothers Richard (Judy) Scully and Ralph Scully; sisters Lynn Marshall, Pat (Mike) Wilcott, and Terrie Wilcott as well as many nieces and nephews.

Roger served in both 1st and 2nd Battalion of the Canadian Guards in the 60′s, the Airborne Regiment and then the PPCLI until retirement.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Parkview Alliance Church, 5902 – 52 Avenue, Vermilion on Friday, November 4, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Friends of Vermilion Health Centre Palliative Care or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Sgt Yvon Briere passed away, August 4th, 2011 at the age of 55 years from injures suffered in a bike accident.

Yvon served with the Canadian Military for 24 years, five U.N. Tours and two NATO Tours. He was the administrator for Ontario of the Veterans U.N. NATO Canada – Helping Veterans.  He was a proud member of the Royal 22nd Regiment and 1 Cdo,  Canadian Airborne Regiment.

RIP Jumper

Sergeant Ross Beggs passed away in his 72nd year on Sunday August 14, 2011 in Napanee, Ontario.

Sgt Beggs was a member of the Airborne Headquarters and Sigs. He was also a Parachute Instructor who served at the Jump School in Rivers and at the CABC in Edmonton.

RIP Jumper.

We lost another of our brothers in Kandahar on Saturday. Cpl Steve Martin was on a foot patrol in the Panjwaii district when an improvised explosive device detonated, killing him. Cpl Martin was on his second tour of duty in Afghanistan and served with the Parachute Company of the 1st Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment.

Monday would have been his 25th birthday. Our condolences and thoughts go out to Cpl Martin’s family and friends.

Cpl Martin is the 154th Canadian Soldier to die serving his country in Afghanistan and the 700th NATO soldier to die this year alone.

We regret to inform all who knew him. Joe “Hummer” MacNeil passed away Nov 6th 2010 after a long battle against Cancer. Hummer was a retired R.C.R. Jumper. 

Hummer was a good friend to all who knew him and was one of the “characters” that had some great stories at the Legion.  There is to be a memorial service at the Grand Bend Legion the 28th of November @ 14:00hrs.

REST IN PEACE JUMPER. PRO PATRIA. AIRBORNE.

I found this video on You-Tube this morning. Turn down the volume if you are at work!