Recovering from Christmas Overload

Wow, it was nice and actually still is but it came fast and furious. Now I am taking a day or part of two to recover. This is my most favourite time of the year. We had lots of cold and snow and neighbours got together to help each other shovel. It is times like this when I take a breather and appreciate all that is important to me and I make the time to see everyone I like though I cannot always do it when they want. I appreciate everything and everyone in my life. I am working but only when I am needed. Isn't that what Christmas is all about? So, I should be back to normal next week. Who am I kidding? Soon...........Til then, I wish you all a Merry Christmas, A Happy Holiday and a wonderful New Year. Why not take this time of the year to do your own reflection. Who is important in your life? What is important to you? Have you done anything for anyone else? What do you think?

A Christmas Tale - Published

I found myself standing alone, as the snow fell gently, Creating a pure white blanket on the asphalt, I was standing on. Looking at the Christmas scene outside St Charles Church, I felt sad that I did not have enough money for Christmas to shop; that I still had to prepare for a four hour exam. As I looked at the empty cradle of Jesus, my sadness increased. “Oh Lord, we have made such a mess of things. Here it is Christmas approaching, and our planet is suffering from global warming, we still fight and kill, in the name of God. The middle class is disappearing and corporations are merging and becoming powerful. The rich are getting richer while our poor are getting poorer. Our governments are deserting us Lord. Please do not give up on us. Please forgive us.” “I am hungry miss?” I turned and found a beggar beside me. I wondered why I had not heard him approaching. He was big framed, with dirty long hair, a fat and heavily pimpled face and a foul smell that not even the cool air could dissipate. His face was so dirty that I could not determine his skin color. His mittens were black and he wore a long woolen brown coat that looked frayed but thankfully warm and he wore heavy worn boots that had seen too many winters. “I am hungry miss.” He repeated with patience. I was holding my submarine sandwich which I had just bought. I had decided to give myself a treat. After all, Christmas was approaching and I deserved something. I had just stopped to admire the Nativity scene. I looked into those sorrowful big brown eyes and saw more sorrow than I could ever bare being reflected back to me. I handed him my submarine and whispered “Merry Christmas.” I didn’t know if wishing him a Merry Christmas was politically correct, but I did not care this evening. I wanted to be free, in my seemingly democratic country to say “Merry Christmas.” What has happened to my city, to my country, to my world? I thought with sadness. I had lowered my head and looked up to see my hobo gone. He had taken my sandwich and I wished him well. I walked back to my old, rusted car in the Church parking lot and unlocked it. There was my submarine sandwich waiting for me. I looked back towards the nativity set and saw the boot prints on the snow from the Nativity area, I had just come from. There was only one set of boot prints this late night that marred the soft blanket of snow.

A Christmas Wish to Santa

Dear Santa, I know I am getting older and I am still writing to you but this year I was so busy I forgot to write and mail it in time. But with technology I can now just write to you here so you can immediately get it. I don’t think you will write back to me here but that is ok. I know how traditional you are. This year I am not asking anything for myself. God has already seen to that. I have everything I need. I have a warm bed to sleep on in a warm room. I have all the food I need plus more which my body is starting to talk to me about. I have my health which has allowed me to work in the service of others all my life. So, Santa, what I am asking for this year is for something for the entire world. I am asking that people become kinder and more aware of their responsibilities to the world. I am asking that poverty be abolished. I am asking that all the children in the world have food to fill their tummies. I am asking that all parents be good to their children and not belittle them, or hurt them in anyway. I am asking that these children grow up and do the same, thus stopping the cycle of abuse and neglect. I am asking that people vote wisely when they can and that bullies not be tolerated, thus eliminating dictatorship of any kind. I wish that we protect our dying planet and all the life within it. I wish that we respect the animals we are responsible to. I wish there will be a time, when animals no longer fear us because they sense our kindness. I wish we understand and are able to separate religion from extremists and culture and see the good in all fellow human beings. I know Santa that I am asking for a lot. I don’t expect you to grant all my wishes right now. I know it will take time. If perhaps you can whisper to each person to just do something nice for someone today, even if it is just a smile to someone who has no smiles in his or her life, than I am a very happy person. Thank you for taking the time to read this Santa, because I know you are very busy at this time of the year. I know that many people do not believe in you, but the children do and the children are our future. Perhaps they will remember you and know that just maybe their wish will come true because you see Santa, I still believe…………………………….

Asked to pass this along - To all Canadian Military Police retired or naught

The Sitrep “VOICE OF THE POINTSMAN ASSOCIATION” Website: www.thepointsman.ca Inquiries: admin@thepointsman.ca And now “THE POINTSMAN ASSOCIATION”, “THE POINTSMAN PHOTO MEMORIES” and “RCAF/PROVOST PHOTO MEMORIES” are on Facebook & Twitter too! December 2017 Christmas Edition Joyeux Noel Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Bonne Annee “WE DO LOVE TO EAT!” Breaking Bread Keeps The Communications Going In 2017 “Yep, we do love to eat…Guess if we didn’t then we would not be getting together like we do,” (this a quote from a participant at the latest London Luncheon.) In a year, 2017, really devoid of a Major Gettogether like a Reunion or an RV, Veterans and the ORG got together for Luncheons, Breakfasts, Brunches, coffees, and about any other reason to get together as long as they broke bread, quaff an ale or had a coffee, and providing dessert was available. Perhaps the easiest and cheapest way to get this bunch to get together. Kingston held two very successful get togethers, one in February and the other in November. Well attended, good food and conversation. Kingston also has a Breakfast Group that meets periodically. Good results whether it be scramble eggs or chicken wings. London has had five of their London Luncheons. Attendance was enough for a game of cards, though we haven’t broken out a deck yet. Yet the London Luncheons has had members drop in from Fergus, Whitby, and other points in the Southwestern Area. A good drive doesn’t hurt the digestion so we are told. There was an interest in having a Luncheon in Ottawa, and if so let us know because you would probably have a few sightseers and visitors drop on down. In 2018 there is the Ottawa Reunion, Organized by John “J.B.” Hosgrove for the third weekend in August. John has put in a good effort getting this together, and should be marked on a lot of calendars. Details are in the Sitrep and Pointsman Pages, and will be displayed on the CMPA website as well. If it is true that we love to eat, then 2108 will provide ample opportunities…. “O” GROUP With Russ Girden TPA President… As the year comes to an end, and a new Christmas Season comes upon us, I would like to take this time on behalf of The Pointsman Associations Executive and Committee, to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. The past year has seen many facets of the Associations motto "To Honor and Remember" brought forward. This was seen by, the turn out of members at MP Graduations, and large number of our members attending various Luncheons in Remembrance of our fallen comrades. I would like to take a minute and personally thank the Executive and Committee members who have worked diligently in assisting me and working on behalf of the members throughout the year. To the members who have paid their 2017 dues, thank you for your dedication. The new 2018 dues pin, will be the Pointsman with 2018 in the banner. The new pin will be shown on the Association Web Page, and will only be available to members who pay their dues. To those of you that have other friends who have not joined our association, let’s try to get them on board, for the many events that are planned for the year ending 2018. I wish all members and their families a very safe and holiday season. Please remember not to drink and drive, always have an alternate way home. Strength through growth. Securitas Russell L.E. Girden, President FROM THE HOME STATION, CFMPA Greeting From the Canadian Forces Military Police Academy Hello once again from the home of the Branch! It has been almost a calendar year since the last submission so I will cover off what has been keeping us busy over that time. In January of this year we introduced our new mentorship program with our vets for our qualification level three (QL3) and the Military Police Officer Course (MPOC). The program pairs up an MP veteran with a platoon to motivate, provide guidance, and link the past to the future. Each platoon is named after their mentor. In January we were fortunate enough to have Ken Neilson become our first mentor veteran for the QL3s (Neilson platoon), and Paul Thobo-Carlsen (Thobo-Carlsen platoon) to be our MPOC mentor. To say the roll out of the concept was a success would be an understatement, both the mentors and the students embraced the opportunity to enhance each other’s lives and learn from each other, thus a solid link was created between the past and the future. We are now into our second session with this program seeing three platoons in house which will be graduating on 13 Dec. Claude Blake, Bob Thomas; and Pat MacMullen are mentoring our future Military Police. The feedback from all has been a resounding success, and as a result this mentorship program has now become part of our curriculum and has also been adopted by the RCAF schools on Base. If you live close enough to the CFMPA and feel like you are interested in mentoring a platoon of new Military Police members, please provide your name to Bob Smith, Bob Thomas, or Wayne Kendall. Thobo-Carlsen platoon (on the left) and Neilson platoon (on the right) pose for a group photo after a Friday Commandant’s PT session, Feb 2017 Throughout the past year we have been quite busy; we developed and graduated 88 brand new QL3 Military Police and added them to our lines along with graduating 16 MPOC officers. We’ve put through three QL5 courses, one 6A, and a 6B course. On top of our qualification courses we also ran three Close Protection Operator courses, one in Meaford, one in Borden, and the last in Virginia, the majority of these students left the academy doors and headed straight onto deployment. A Use of Force instructor’s course was held along with a Military Police Investigator course. The CFMPA further supported numerous assessment centres for MP, MPO, and CPO; and also supported an OPP led Sexual Assault Investigator course. Needless to say our halls never go empty nor are our members short of work. In all we have instructed over 600 students in one training capacity or another at CFMPA this year. EVENTS On the 15 Jun, all staff and students celebrated the Branch birthday by playing in a softball tournament, devouring some pizza, and receiving a history lesson from Sgt Beswick on the roots of the Military Police. CHANGE OF COMMAND 21 Jul 17 saw a change of leadership where we said goodbye to our departing Commandant, LCol Adam Battista and welcomed in LCol Brian Nekurak. This CoC parade was presided over by our very own BGen Rob Delaney. There were a few tears shed when LCol Battista was escorted off the parade while being serenaded by the troops under the song Miss American Pie. LCol Nekurak brought to the Academy numerous years of excellent leadership and academic knowledge. We all wish Adam the best of luck at his new adventures with the OPP, we know he will bring a new style of leadership to civilian policing. DONATION 2 Aug 17, the Academy had the honour and privilege of being the recipients of an original hand painted oil portrait of Lt Peter Seddon Oliver from his nephew Peter Clark and his wife Marilyn. The Oliver trophy is presented to the top QL3 student of the calendar year; this year’s winner was Cpl MacIntoch who is now posted to CFB Esquimalt. The exceptional gift is now proudly displayed along with the trophy in the main entrance of our building. We thank the family for trusting us will this invaluable piece of history. Women in Force Program Sgt N. Laidlaw, Sgt S. Kirby and MCpl N. Charest provided candidates on the Women in Force Program (WFP) with a realistic job preview of the Military Police Trade on 22 Oct 17. The WFP is a new initiative to give women who have the potential, but might not consider the CAF as an employer, the chance to speak with members who have the experience and information to encourage their enrollment. SUMMARY Besides being extremely busy supporting the Military Police Branch in developing our members; our staff and students have supported the community in numerous events over the year. We attended the Ontario Police Memorial Parade held in Toronto on 7 May 2017, held our Day of Remembrance service with our vets and community in Stewart Square in front of the Cairn on the 3rd of May. Under the creativity of Sgt McGall and Sgt Laidlaw the CFMPA hosted the MPNMR riders and raised funds though an awesomely planned pig roast which saw well over 300 people attend and over $3200.00 raised. CFMPA also participated in the Remembrance Day Parade held in Collingwood on 11 Nov 17, after which we attended the Collingwood Legion where 50 members, comprised of staff and students attended the Collingwood Nursing Home to visit the residents which proved to be an enriching experience for all. To sum up, this year has been a whirlwind at the CFMPA. We are looking forward to our Christmas break, only to dive right back in come January 2018. We look forward to seeing you stop by your home the Academy, in the New Year and would be honoured to give you a tour of our beautiful facility. On behalf of LCol Nekurak, and all CFMPA staff we wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and nothing but the best for 2018. Securitas CWO Crystal Krammer CFMPA CWO As the old song goes… “Should Auld Acquaintance be forgot, And Never Brought to Mind… Should Auld Acquaintance be forgot, And Days of Auld Lang Syne” For Auld Lang Syne, My Dear, For Auld Lang Syne We Will Take a Cup Of Kindness Yet, For Days of Auld Lang Syne… For When Sunsets Past Outweigh Sunrises To Come Their Faces May Fade in Our Memory, And Names That Were Once So Ready To Know Are No Longer Quick to Recall We Still Shall Gather Together, My Friends Our Memories Joined As One And We Shall Miss Them;  “THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD, AS WE WHO ARE LEFT GROW OLD AGE SHALL NOT WEARY THEM, NOR YEARS CONDEMN AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN… WE WILL REMEMBER THEM INFORMATION POST Sitrep To Be Available Quarterly in 2018…Plus 1 The Sitrep is going to be publish Quarterly in 2018. Starting March 7th of 2018, the Sitrep will be available June 7th, September 7th and December 7th. There will be an additional one available should there be an event like a Reunion or RV in that year. The special edition will focus on that event. The reason for the change in the Sitrep comes from those that write the Sitrep, which is becoming more difficult to put together… and those that submit. The CFMP Academy for one. Running a school and finding time to submit an article do not always mesh. CWO Kramer has a lot to do as the School RSM as well as being the Branch CWO. Though she has quite a workload The CWO does not want to disappoint the Veterans by not passing along information on what the Academy is doing. This should help those writing the Academy submissions. Academy Seeking Veterans to Help Mentor Young MPs One of the suggestions that came out of RV75 was to see Veterans take an active part of assisting the MP Students, when necessary, in a Mentor Program. There is a Mentor Program in place at the Academy now, and is open to Veterans who wish to help out. You must live within a reasonable distance from Base Borden, have the time required should your assistance be needed, and you must commit to the student platoon for a number of visits as we as attend their Graduation Festivities. Further information is available by contacting the Academy. Ride For Heroes to Hold “Reunion” in Wingham October 2018. If you were part of the two initial “Ride For Heroes” Motorcycle Rides between London and Wingham, you are invited to a get together to be held in Wingham this October. Though doing another MC Ride is beyond our ability at this time, having a Luncheon with the proceeds going to the Scholarship Fund is not. Further details will be released in the next March Sitrep. SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING 2018 EVENTS START POINTS: Date Event Location February 25th Kingston Luncheon TBD March 10th London Luncheon Kelsey’s Roadhouse June 9th London Luncheon Kelsey’s Roadhouse August 16-19 Ottawa Reunion Hylands Golf and Country Club September 15th London Luncheon Kelsey’s Roadhouse October TBA Wingham Ride4Heroes TBD Reunion November 17th Kingston Honour And TBD Remembrance Luncheon December 8th London Christmas Luncheon Kelsey’s Road Ottawa Reunion 2018 OTTAWA ONTARIO DATES: 17, 18, 19 August 2018 HOTEL: Hilton Garden Inn Airport, Ottawa Address: 2400 Alert Rd, Gloucester, ON K1V 1S1 Phone: (613) 288-9001 LOCATION: Hylands Golf and Country Club (HGCC) 2101 Alert Road, Ottawa, ON Canada, K1V 1J9 Telephone: (613) 521-1842, Fax: (613) 521-3694 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Friday: Fred Rogers Memorial Golf Tournament (The Pointsman Association. Doc Aldridge Co-ordinator) 18 Holes of Golf finishing with a steak dinner. HGCC Reunion Meet & Greet, Hors d'oeuvres Golf Awards - HGCC Saturday: Welcome Buffet Breakfast HGCC AM: Town Hall Meeting with the Provost Marshall (CMPA) Lunch at HGCC PM: Afternoon Activities To Be Determined Dinner Dance with DJ HGCC Sunday: Departure Buffet Breakfast HGCC Costs not finalized Further Details as Available. Picture: Kingston Reunion 2007 Summerside Reunion 2014 “OH! To Be Young At Heart” Maybe Your Birth Certificate Is WRONG? You know what is so damned good about attending these Luncheons, and Reunions, and RVs and all the other stuff that people like Jean Pellerin, John Hosegrove, Paul Melanson and yes, Mr. George Elliott go to… These people know how to laugh. Ever watch George attend a Kingston Luncheon? From the moment he walks in the room all eyes turn toward him. Those eyes of his get that twinkle. That Smile brighten the room. The back straightens and the step quickens. He makes a bee line for people. Shaking hands, laughing…and Gawde he could run for Prime Minister and WIN! Mr George Elliott @RV75 “The Silver Fox” Joe Hubert @ London Christmas Luncheon For years now Joe Hubert, residing in Whitby comes down to break bread and enjoy the comradery of the London Luncheons. He is a regular, and he brings with him stories, and memories and a knack for others to laugh and the servers to blush… (all except Becky who thinks Joe is harmless. Silly Girl 😉 ). Joe’s nickname is the “Silver Fox”, earned from the colour of his motorcycle. A veteran of approximately 5 National Military Police Rides, he isn’t slowing down either. Neither of them are. The scary part is that were in the service before I was even born, and both are in their very young 80s! (BTW I just turned 60 this year). I know I have sung this song before. To ask that our members think about getting out to an event or function at least once this coming year. To break bread, quaff and ale and tell some lies. A couple of hours that is all. Yet unfortunately I also hear the chorus… “I am not feeling well. I have things to do. Too far to drive. Too much, and besides I simply don’t want to, I want to let go of the past”. Strange I remember some members out there secretly confessing (and yes me included), that they are so thankful that we did not serve in the era of the cell phone. Oh! The fun that would have caused! Have some of us apparently gotten so old… so fast? Always at the end of the year, at the point in the Sitrep where We “Honour and Remember” I usually do not include names. I write a tribute and allow the reader to stop for a moment and remember friends, comrades, good times and maybe a less happier memory. Empty Chairs…and sadly they get emptier as time passes. This year I received over 35 notices that were posted on the Pointsman and various other websites. Lives that were once shared under the Provost, RCAF Police, and the Thunderbird. We Will Remember Them. So as the old year passes, We will raise a Cup of Kindness yet, and the Days of Long Ago. Take one moment Look at yourself in a mirror and see that young, full of piss and vinegar, person that served so proudly! Take a moment to think about those who you have missed, those who have passed, and those who just maybe on a particular day… at a particular time… you might just look across the table from you, and see living memories looking back from their chair! Toast! Laugh! Quaff an Ale! Tell Some Lies! And Especially Be Young Again! To The Graduating and All Students of the Canadian Military Police Academy From Those Whom You Honour By Wearing the Red Beret “God Bless” Almighty God By Whose Grace We Are Called To The Position Of Responsibility and Trust, We Ask for Your Blessing upon All Who Serve in the Military Police Branch of the Canadian Forces, at Home and Abroad, Inspire Us with Courage and Wisdom, Courtesy and Faithfulness, Give Us the True Knowledge of Your Will that We may give Proper Guidance to Our Comrades, That by Serving other Honourably and with Justice we may Serve You Well and become more Worthy of Our Military Police Calling. Amen

The Internet Murders - ebook

I have just uploaded my third book "The Internet Murders" at www.silvaredigonda.com . I hope you enjoy the e-book for 7.99. Sorry for the delay but with my move and seeing clients I have been delayed. I still need to explore my options for a new up to date shopping cart. I really enjoyed writing the Internet Murders and dedicated it to my good friend Father Bill German, a Jesuit, who was an avid mystery reader. He was so excited that I was dedicating this book to him. He died less than a week after we spoke last. He was an inspiration to everyone who knew him. I really miss him. Please do not hesitate to buy my ebook and to honestly let me know what you think. One day I will try to figure out how to get my books into book stores. If you are in the GTA, I am available to come and talk about my books and of course signing and selling them. Don't hesitate to contact me regarding any questions. Til then "happy reading" during these cold nights. What do you think?

Christmas is coming to town!!!!!

It is that time of the year once again! Snow is anticipated for Toronto and shovels and salt are waiting patiently. I am now in my new location for almost two weeks and it is going fine. As one door closes, another opens and this is simply another chapter of my life moving forward. Sometimes we have time to reflect etc....Other times we must make quick decisions and this was one quick descision. Christmas can be wonderful for some people (myself included. It is my favourite). For others the thought of Family gatherings, shopping etc....is a nightmare. Was Christmas a time of joy for you? Is the holiday season and celebration a time of bad memories for you? I try to accomodate as many people during the holiday season because for some it is the most devestating time of the year. Perhaps this holiday season, you will allow yourself to step back and take a look at your life through different lens. If you are happy with life, that is great! However, if you are not, take time to discern. What can you do to change things? What can you do to balance your life a bit more? Are you in a balanced relationship? Do you find yourself always giving or always taking? Is that fair? Do you find that you are overburdened with addictions? Is it time to stop blaming others and learn how to deal with problems without reaching out for that bottle, shopping spree, gambling machine? One thing we do have within a free society is choice. Why not make today a choice for you to take a different avenue? What do you think?