Women of War Symposium and Memorial Unveiling: A Powerful Tribute to Resilience

photo credits: Randi Su Gage

Last weekend, the city of Grande Prairie paid a powerful tribute to the strength and sacrifice of women in war with the unveiling of a new memorial and a moving two-day symposium. The events, held on March 7th for the unveiling and March 8th and 9th for the symposium, offered a poignant reflection on the diverse roles women have played in times of conflict and the unique challenges they face.

The weekend commenced on Friday with the unveiling of the Women of War Memorial at the Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre. The impressive 2,500-pound black granite monument stands as a testament to the unwavering courage of women who have served their country. One side of the memorial depicts a female soldier, surrounded by images showcasing women's contributions in various military roles, from nursing and communications to mechanics and administration. The opposite side honors the invaluable contributions of civilian women, featuring images of engineers, shipbuilders, lumberjills, and volunteers.

The inscription, "To the brave women who served as soldiers and volunteers, your courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten," serves as a powerful reminder of their enduring legacy. Adding a special touch, the soldier depicted on the memorial wears copper buttons, a tribute to the strength and resilience of Indigenous female warriors.

The unveiling ceremony itself was a poignant affair punctuated by a particularly moving moment: Randi Su Gage, Indigenous Veteran and founder of Indigenous Veterans Day, bestowed a special blessing upon Brigadier General Vanessa Hanrahan, Canada’s newly minted Provost Marshal. The Grande Prairie Women's Community Drum Group filled the air with moving music as a diverse group of attendees, representing five generations of "warrior women," gathered in solidarity. Brigadier General Hanrahan joined Sergeant Shirley Jew, a Vietnam War veteran, and Randi Su Gage, alongside other veterans including Doris Guerette, and members of the 2850 Army Cadets, symbolizing the unbroken chain of women in service.

The following two-day symposium, "Women of War - Building Resilience in Uncertain Times," provided a platform for sharing stories, exploring challenges, and celebrating the resilience of women who have navigated the complexities of war. A common thread woven throughout each presentation was the importance of utilizing personal tools and strategies to overcome fear and adversity. Each speaker candidly shared her own experiences, highlighting the diverse range of approaches women utilize to navigate the challenges they face.

The symposium featured a diverse range of speakers, each offering valuable insights into the experiences of women in times of conflict:

●               Duff Crerar illuminated the historical context of women in war, challenging the notion that women's roles as warriors were a modern development. He highlighted how women have always been active participants in conflict until "civilization" pushed them into domesticated and gentrified roles.

●               Kate Goodhelpsen of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment Military Museum shared the poignant stories of nursing sisters, drawing upon their diaries to reveal their struggles with fear, uncertainty and physical challenges.

●               Brigadier General Hanrahan captivated the audience with her personal insights into building resilience, offering an unvarnished look at the realities of service.

●               Indigenous veteran Randi Su Gage provided a unique perspective on resilience, sharing her experiences as a female Indigenous soldier navigating the rigid structures of the military.

●               Holly Sorgen shifted the focus to the civilian experience, exploring how women in business and volunteer roles cope with the anxieties of war and how these experiences shape their leadership styles.

●               Michaela Koch DStG, a civilian who works with veterans, discussed the unique challenges of supporting those impacted by military service, particularly those living with operational stress injuries. Sharing her own experience with a brain injury, she highlighted the multifaceted nature of resilience.

●               Anna-Lisa Rovak bravely addressed the sensitive topic of sexual trauma, highlighting the importance of support systems and coping mechanisms.

●               Sergeant Jew shared her personal experiences as a lesbian woman of Chinese descent in the military, shedding light on the prejudice she faced and the tools she used to overcome adversity, including the invaluable role of service dogs.

The symposium also incorporated practical elements, with practitioners Carla Jones, Cassie Woods and Danielle Douchet leading sessions on meditation, yoga, breathing techniques, and mindfulness to equip attendees with coping skills. Recognizing the emotional weight of the topics discussed, the Resource Centre for Suicide Prevention (https://www.sp-rc.ca/) provided on-site counseling services, ensuring attendees felt supported.

The Women of War Memorial and Symposium served as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by women in times of conflict and the strength they demonstrate in overcoming adversity. The event fostered connection and understanding, creating a space for healing, reflection, and empowerment.

For more information on the Women of War Memorial and the Veterans Memorial Gardens & Interpretive Centre, please visit veteransmemorialgardens.com

Visit the Special Projects Playlist on Ride Like a Local to see the videos of the blessing and Sayde Squires reciting her poem.

Special thanks to Veterans Affairs Canada, The Royal Canadian Legion 60 Sexsmith, Royal Canadian Legion 54 Grande Prairie, Gregg Distributors, In memory of Corporal Dorothy Chaytor RCAF WD, Miss Bliss Bath, South Peace Archives, 2Day FM, Windspeaker Media and all of the volunteers that made this possible.

New CEO for Babcock Canada

Babcock International Group (Babcock), the defence and security company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Tony March as Babcock Canada’s Chief Executive Officer. He will take up his new role on 3rd March, succeeding Jerry McLean who will be retiring in March 2025. 

Canada is a key part of Babcock’s international growth strategy given our role as the through-life support partner for Canada’s submarine fleet, our aerial firefighting operations in Manitoba and new air ambulance operations in British Columbia. Tony will be responsible for leadership of these critical operations and for pursuing growth opportunities. 

Tony March joined Babcock Canada in June 2018, as Director Engineering, taking an executive role as Vice President - Engineering in January 2020 and has led our Marine and Mission Systems business in Canada since January 2024 . He entered industry after retiring from the Royal Canadian Navy after 21 years of military service as a Naval Technical Officer where he served on both naval ships and submarines. 

Tony holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) from the Royal Military College of Canada, a Master of Business Administration from Athabasca University, a Master of Defence Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada, and a Master of Science in Marine Engineering from University College London. He has been a licensed Professional Engineer since 2013. 

Babcock CEO David Lockwood said: 

“I’m delighted to appoint Tony March as Babcock Canada’s new CEO. His experience and expertise will be invaluable as we focus on further developing our business in Canada where we see significant opportunities for growth.” 

“I would also like to thank Jerry McLean for his many years of service, and wish him a very happy retirement.” 

Relieved of Command: Captain of HMCS Ottawa Relieved of Command Due to "Loss of Confidence"

The Royal Canadian Navy today issued the following statement regarding the removal of the Commanding Officer of HMCS Ottawa:

“Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee, Commander Royal Canadian Navy, has relieved Commander Adriano Lozer of his duties as Commanding Officer of HMCS Ottawa, currently deployed on Operation HORIZON, due to loss of confidence. 

“This measure was deemed necessary to ensure effective leadership in HMCS Ottawa as it continues its deployment in the Indo-Pacific region. The incidents that gave rise to this decision do not concern any form of misconduct.

“Commander Landon Creasy, an experienced naval officer and former Commanding Officer of HMCS Regina, will assume command and will continue HMCS Ottawa’s deployment until the ship returns home to its home port in Esquimalt, B.C. in late-March. The ship’s company has been informed of this decision.

“Upon his repatriation to Canada, Commander Lozer will serve in other roles within Maritime Forces Pacific. Procedural fairness will continue to be respected throughout all follow-on administrative processes. As this is a personnel matter, no further information will be released at this time.”

NOT CHANGING THE GUARD

MANAGEMENT OF THE FORT SAINT-JEAN FEDERAL MILITARY SITE WILL REMAIN IN THE HANDS OF A QUEBEC CIVIL ORGANIZATION

Located in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, the Fort Saint-Jean site is a major training centre for officers and non-commissioned officers of the Canadian Armed Forces, and the only one in Quebec. It will continue to be managed by a Quebec non-profit civilian organisation, the Corporation du Fort St-Jean (CFSJ), for at least another two years. This guarantees not only that a French-speaking civilian presence will be maintained on this heritage site, but also that the public will continue to be welcomed there. 

Christine Normandin, Member of Parliament for Saint-Jean and Vice-Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on National Defence, welcomed the federal government's decision. "By extending the contract with the Corporation, which provides a friendly, French-speaking presence at Fort Saint-Jean, the Department of National Defence (DND) is not only extending access for citizens, particularly those in our region and its garrison town, to an important part of our collective history, but it is also helping to provide military personnel with a healthy, quality environment during their studies.

The Corporation's President and CEO, Steve Hétu, is delighted with this news for his 250 employees. "With this decision, the highest civilian and military authorities in the country are recognising our efforts to meet the operational needs of the Royal Military College Saint-Jean (RMC Saint-Jean) and the Chief Warrant Officer Robert Osside Profession of Arms Institute (Osside Institute), to contribute to the well-being and success of the officer cadets and warrant officers who are trained there, and to maintain the historic site", he says.

A unique management model, supported by a Quebec NP 

The business model in place at Fort Saint-Jean is unique among Canada's military sites. The non-profit organisation that manages it, the CFSJ, is responsible for preserving the heritage value of the site, which was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1923. It also provides operational support to the RMC Saint-Jean and the Osside Institute. Among other things, its activities are aimed at ensuring the well-being, safety and success of military personnel undergoing training on the site. It also rents out sports and corporate facilities to the local community, for the benefit of DND. The funds raised, totalling nearly $13 million since 2009, are reinvested by DND to maintain the site, which is in an exceptional state of preservation and upkeep.

Working regularly with Quebec contractors on its activities and infrastructure projects, the CFSJ generates significant economic spin-offs for the region and the entire province. The mayor of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Andrée Bouchard, said she was "very pleased that the Corporation du Fort St-Jean, a socio-economic driving force that has embodied collaboration between civilians and the military for 29 years, is continuing to operate". She hopes that "this vote of confidence will generate other business opportunities".  

Projects for the future

When asked about the projects he intends to carry out over the next 2 years, Mr Hétu spoke of his desire to see the renovation of the low wall supporting the banks of the Richelieu River, which runs alongside the site, come to fruition. Necessary for environmental and safety reasons, this major infrastructure project calls for the mobilisation and synchronisation of different levels of government. He also stated that he wanted to strengthen the strategic support that his organisation provides to RMC Saint-Jean, particularly in support of the cultural change initiated within the Canadian Armed Forces. He is also inviting the public to take part in the activities planned on the site in the summer of 2025 to mark the 250th anniversary of the Siege of Fort Saint-Jean, a significant episode in our history that had a major impact on the Canadian identity. 

In addition, the Corporation's management intends to maximise the organisation's performance and competitiveness by building on its entrepreneurial culture. As part of the strategic planning process, new initiatives are planned in the areas of governance, internal processes and business development.