Veterans Services Team Blog #9
Sgt Ret Al Kowalenko OMC

By: Sgt Al Kowalenko, OMC (Retd)

48th Veterans Services Coordinator

THE FALL – A CHANGE OF SEASON – A CHANGE OF CO AND REMEMBRANCE WEEK ON THE HORIZON

Greetings to all our 48th veterans, Regimental Family members and Active Battalion soldiers.

This month we mark another Regimental milestone with the “Change of Command Ceremony” to be held on Friday, October 25th at Moss Park Armoury.  


LCol Tyler Wentzell, CD, will succeed LCol Jason Morische, CD, who has completed his term as Commanding Officer which began in October, 2021.

As well, the upcoming month of November brings with it Remembrance Week and Remembrance Day, a time of tribute and reflection.

CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY – OCT 25TH

LCol Tyler Wentzell, CD

LCol Jason Morische, CD

LCol Tyler Wentzell, CD, will become the 27th Commanding Officer of the 48th Highlanders since the post-WWII term of LCol William W.G. Darling, DSO, ED (1946-49). We welcome LCol Wentzell, CD and send our good wishes to LCol Jason Morische, CD, as he successfully completes his three year term as CO.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  

In a departure from tradition, the Change of Command Ceremony has been organized as an “Invitation Only” event in the 48th Officers’ Mess for 2000 hrs, (Moss Park Armoury, 130 Queen St East, Toronto). There will be no formal parade in the Armoury. Attendance is limited to those who have received an invitation. A reception in the Mess will follow the Ceremony.

48TH WO/SGTS MESS DINNER – OCT 26TH

Sgt Mess 2022

The Annual 48th WO/Sgts Mess Dinner will take place on Saturday, October 26th, 1800 hrs at the WO/ Sgts Mess (Reception) and Officers’ Mess (Dinner), Moss Park Armoury, Toronto.

 

IMPORTANT NOTE:

This Dinner event is limited to 48th WOs and Sgts, both retired and current serving Mess members, and special guests.

Full details have already been distributed to potential participants via the 48th Regimental Association SrNCO email list.

For more information, contact WO Peter Ross, CD, (Retd) at email:  ross99010@gmail.com or cell: 647-295-9300.

REMEMBRANCE WEEK – NOV 4-11, 2024   MOUNT PLEASANT CEMETERY – SAT, NOV 9th REMEMBRANCE SERVICE

Mount Pleasant

Each year, members of the 48th Regimental Association, Active Battalion and Regimental Family pay tribute to the several 48th Highlanders who are buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto. 

The special memorial service is held at the Regiment’s monument located at the main entrance to the Cemetery grounds off Mount Pleasant Road.

SERVICE DETAILS:

DATE:  Saturday, November 9, 2024              TIME: 10:30 am Form Up-11:00 am Service

LOCATION: Mount Pleasant Cemetery, 375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto

DRESS CODE for 48th Veterans marching in the ceremony: blazer, glengarry and medals.

(Members of the 48th Active Battalion are encouraged to attend if they are able.)

NOTE: All veterans and members of the 48th Regimental Family, as well as the general public, are welcome to attend.

PARKING:  Available free at the main Mount Pleasant Cemetery parking lot.

POST-SERVICE LUNCH:  There will be a post-service informal lunch gathering at “The Bull: A Firkin Pub”, 1835 Yonge Street.   Drinks and lunch are at each person’s expense. (Parked cars at the Cemetery may be left there until after the lunch. The Pub is about a 10-15 minute walk from Mount Pleasant.)

 REMEMBRANCE SERVICE – SUN, NOV 10TH RGT MONUMENT – QUEEN’S PARK

48th Monument

The Remembrance Service at the 48th Highlanders of Canada Regimental Monument commemorates all our 48th veterans who fell in past wars –Boer War, WWI, WWII, Korean War, and Afghanistan.  

The exploits and bravery of these war veterans contributed to the 50 “Battle Honours” that have been awarded to the 48thHighlanders during its 134 year history as one of Canada’s most storied infantry regiments.

All current 48th veterans and members of the Regimental Family are encouraged to attend the Queen’s Park service to honor our fallen. 

PLEASE NOTE THE SERVICE DETAILS:

DATE: Sunday, November 10, 2024   TIME: 10:30 am Form Up; 11:00 am Service

LOCATION: 48th Highlander Regimental Monument, Queen’s Park, Toronto.

DRESS CODE for 48th Veterans at the service: blazer, glengarry and medals.

N.B.   48th Veterans will form up on the east side of the Monument. At 10:30 am.

PARKING: Various parking areas by Bloor-Avenue Road and University of Toronto grounds.  

RECEPTION: Following the service, there will be a special reception at The McKinsey Company facility, 110 Charles St West, about a block away from the Monument.  The reception will be open to all our 48th veterans, members of our Regimental Family, and Active Battalion soldiers. Light food and beverages will be available.

Let’s have a great turnout of 48th veterans to the service and show our “Dileas Spirit”!

48th HIGHLANDERS MUSEUM–“ARCHIVAL VIDEO INTERVIEW PROJECT” (AVIP)

Museum Tour Image

The next few months are a good time to consider arranging an interview with the 48th Museum staff to talk about your experiences while serving with the 48th Highlanders or remembering family members who also served with the Regiment.

The goal of the AVIP is to record in video/digital format the reminiscences of 48th Highlanders veterans, Active Battalion, and Regimental Family members (post WWII) for inclusion in the Museum archives.

These interviews are informal and can be arranged at either the Museum or at your premises. (N.B. The Museum is open every Wednesday and Thursday, 10 am to 2 pm.)

For more information, and to book an appointment, please contact Mr Peter Olsen, 48th Museum, St Andrew’s Church, 73 Simcoe St, at his telephone # 647-774-5164, or email fourdozen48@gmail.com.

Tell us your stories and be part of the 48th video history for future generations!

48TH HIGHLANDERS COMMEMORATION TRIP Re: WWII “LIBERATION OF HOLLAND” - 80TH ANNIVERSARY APELDOORN, THE NETHERLANDS – MAY, 2025

Netherlands banner

A number of our 48th veterans have now committed to attending the special events in Apeldoorn Holland in May 2025 to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the “Liberation of Holland” by Allied Forces and our Regiment (part of the1stDivision) at the end of World War II.

In 1945, the 48th Highlanders was one of the key units that were instrumental in the Liberation. Our War veterans of the 48th have participated in these Holland celebration events every five years since then.

In 2025, there will be a major change for the 48th. For the first time, we will have no living War veteran able to attend as our last 48th WWII era veteran passed away in February, 2024.

The torch is now passed to our next generations of veterans to keep the memory of our 48th War veterans and liberators alive in Holland. 

Over the past 80 years, the Dutch people have continued to welcome and thank Canadians for their sacrifice and support during the final days of WWII which was a time of famine and crisis. 

At Holten Cemetery near Apeldoorn, the Dutch regularly tend the graves of our last group of 48th Highlanders who died in April, 1945, including LCol Donald Mackenzie our famous Commanding Officer at the time. (His portrait hangs in a prominent location in the 48th Officers’ Mess.)

We now have confirmation that a contingent of 40 of our Active Battalion soldiers will be making the trip to Apeldoorn along with several of our 48th veterans and Regimental Family members.

Here is a tentative list of some of the events and parades that the contingent will participate in during May, 2025:

  • May 2nd:  Battlefield Tour – Wilp

  • May 3rd:   Canada Festival – Performance at Omni Sport 

  • May 4th:   Holten Cemetery and Wilp – Silent March 

  • May 5th:   Liberation Parade – Waginen

  • May 6th:   Reception Events in Apeldoorn (City Hall) – Parade in Market Square

  • May 7th:   Battlefield Tour of Market Garden (tentative)

For more information on how you can participate in this historic Commemoration, please contact our Veterans Services Team.  

To those veterans who have committed to this important trip, a hearty “Thank You” for supporting our Regimental history and traditions. 

For those still considering the trip, please remember this will be a huge celebration as there has been no major Parade of this type in Holland for the past ten years. (Note: COVID caused the cancellation of the last commemoration event in 2020 which are staged every five years)

SPECIAL NOTE:  The 48th Highlanders IODE Chapter will be staging a Luncheon on Saturday, March 29th, with a “Liberation of Holland” theme to recognize the 80th Anniversary and the upcoming Holland trip by our 48th contingent. More details regarding location and timings will be issued in early 2025. Tickets to the Luncheon will be made available to the 48th Regimental Family.

VETERANS AFFAIRS CANADA (VAC) – UPDATES

VAC Poster 2024

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) regularly updates its website at www.veterans.gc.ca with news and information of interest to all CF veterans.

In November, there will be a large section on their website devoted to “Remembrance Day and Veterans’ Week” with the ongoing theme “Courage, and Sacrifice – At Home, Around the World, and Across Generations”.

This year’s highlight will be on the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (1924-2024) and its historic accomplishments in War and peace time.

VAC Claims

Our 48th Veterans Services Team can be of assistance if you are looking to submit claims for VAC benefits in the following areas: (NB – Claims must be based on injuries sustained while on active duty with the Canadian Forces.)

  • Hearing loss and Tinnitus (Veterans who served from the 1950s through the 1970s have a strong chance for a claim in this area. This is because most did not have appropriate hearing protection during training and also did not have exit medicals when they ended their CF service.)

  • Injuries to joints, spine and back

  • Brain injury and severe concussions

  • Dental and eye injuries

  • Operational Stress Injuries (OSI…formerly PTSD) and Mental Health issues

  • Emergency shelter and accommodation requirements for homeless veterans

(Please note all conditions requiring VAC medical assistance follow-up must be accompanied by the appropriate supporting documents from accredited doctors or clinicians.)

Contact our 48th Veterans Services Team at our coordinates listed at the end of the Blog and we will be pleased to assist and provide the appropriate direction for VAC claims.

Veterans Independence Program (VIP)

Veteran at Home needing help

VAC has a Veterans Independence Program (VIP) for those veterans who have serious chronic illnesses or are 80+ years of age.  The goal of the Program is to provide financial assistance to help veterans remain independent in their own homes. If remaining at home is not an option, VAC will assist with immediate care of the veteran in a community facility.

Each veteran applying for this Program will be interviewed and assessed by a VAC representative prior to any benefits being assigned.

Career Transition and Job Search Guidance

Introducing Maureen O'Reilly, Consultant

Man filling out application form

Recognizing the need of many of our 48th veterans to find gainful employment as they transition from a military to a civilian career, we are pleased to announce an additional resource to our 48th Veterans Services Team.

Maureen O’Reilly, a member of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, our Regimental Church, is a recruitment consultant who has volunteered to provide career transition and job search guidance to our post-service veterans.

She is a third-generation member of St Andrew’s, a first generation Canadian, and the proud daughter, granddaughter, and niece of many who served Canada and Scotland as members of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Cameron Highlanders, and the 48th Highlanders.

Maureen’s business experience is extensive and spans the full range of industry sectors. She has a deep understanding of the challenges faced in making life and career transitions. 

If you are interested in this new resource, please contact our 48th Veterans Services Team at the coordinates listed at the end of the Blog. We will be pleased to put you in touch with Maureen.

VAC Definition of CF Veteran Status​

For clarification, VAC has published on its website the definition of a “Veteran” as follows:

“Any former member of the Canadian Armed Forces (Regular Force or Reserves) who successfully underwent basic training and was honorably discharged.”  

This definition has been in use by VAC for the past 20+ years, and as VAC states “…recognizes the risk Canadian Armed Forces members assume by wearing the uniform and pledging allegiance.” 

All former serving members of the 48th Highlanders of Canada who meet the above criteria are “Veterans” and should be aware of their status with VAC should they require any future assistance.

If you need more source information and wish to speak with a VAC agent, you may also call directly at toll free 1-866-522-2122. They also have an additional toll free line at 1-800-268-7708 known as “VAC Assistance Service” which is offers 24-hour counselling with a mental health professional, if required.

SUNNYBROOK VETERANS CENTRE – TORONTO

Sunnybrook Veterans Centre in Toronto is home to two of our 48th veterans:

 Sgt Oswald Reece, CD (Retd), affectionately known to his friends as” “Ozzie” served with the 48th Highlanders for more than 30 years from 1975 to 2008 and was the Regimental Quartermaster for 20+ years during that time.

Sgt Oswald Reese

Ozzie is in good spirits and says he would like to see Warrant Officers and Sergeants from his era to talk over old times again. He also welcomes all members of the 48th Regimental Family as well.

If you would like to drop by and visit Ozzie, he is located at the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre K2West Wing. Please call him at his cell phone 647-381-4125 first to arrange a visit time.

Capt Bruce Beaton, CD (Retd) has also been a resident at Sunnybrook for several years. He is located at Room 74- L Wing. Visits for Bruce are monitored. Please contact us for more info.

IN MEMORIAM

During 2024, we have seen the passing of three prominent 48th veterans.

We pay tribute to their important service to the Regiment, and will remember them and miss them:

MWO George Kelly

MWO George Kelly, CD
1928-2024

Adjutant Captain John JJ Kerr 1973

Capt John Kerr, CD
1944-2024

MWO MacLean

MWO George MacLean, CD
1920-2024

Note: Full articles on each of these 48th veterans are included in The Falcon (September 2024 issue) which is available online at the Regiment’s website:

 INFORMATION CONTACTS – 48th VETERANS SERVICES TEAM

Sgt Al Kowalenko, OMC (Retd), Veterans Services Coordinator, 

48th Highlanders Regimental Association

Email: ursa77@rogers.com

Cell: 416-219-4967 (message service available 24/7)

Web: 48thhighlanders.ca/veterans

(Note: The first “Veterans Services” Blog on the 48th website contains details of the various areas we help veterans and their families.)

There are a number of volunteers in our Veterans Services Team network who are available to assist you. They are all 48thveterans who can discuss veterans’ issues and ways to obtain support.

Please call or email us if you have any questions about Veterans Affairs Canada applications, government veterans’ service programs, or 48th veterans’ events for 2024-25.

We will do our best to assist you as required and lend a helping hand.

DILEAS
GU BRATH

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