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Newsletter 12e RBC Trois-Rivières

Dear 12th CAR Veterans, with the holiday’s season approaching, it is my pleasure to write to you one last time as the CO of the Regiment. Looking back at 2014, I once again selected a few pictures to keep all of you in the unit’s spirit. You can be proud of our soldiers; they keep the Regiment’s reputation at the highest level.

2014 started with a brigade exercise around the city of Rivière-du-Loup where the Regiment paired up with the Sherbrooke Hussars to put on the ground a Recce regiment that played the enemy force for the brigade battle group. For a whole week, the armoured spirit kept the infantry blue force on their toes.

In March, as usual, we had a gathering to highlight the Regiment’s 143th anniversary. RSM CWO Hébert and CO Lcol LeBlanc presenting the annual cake!

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On May 9th, the Canadian government called the country to remember our Afghanistan fallen comrades. We gathered more than 30 people at Three Rivers City Hall including those of the Regiment that have served in Afghanistan. They took the pose with the pictures of the two 12e (from Valcartier) that were lost during this mission. Also in May, we held our second Concert Gala to raise money for our Museum. The Concert organized by Maj Gaulin, regimental 2IC, collected more than $11,000! War veterans attending were introduced to the public at the beginning of the evening.

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This year’s Museum summer exposition was inaugurated on June 12th by Mr Jean-Marc Vanasse President of the Trois-Rivières Symphonic Orchestra in the presence of two 12CAR representatives: Mr Dowie and Mr Whitehall. This year’s theme was “Der Des Der” (the War of Wars), marking the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War. Interesting stories about two of our perpetuated units - the 178th Battalion and the 259th Battalion - were in display.

2014 saw the return of the summer Military concentration of militia units in Valcartier. It consisted of level two (patrols) day and night shooting ranges.

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In August, « le Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières » welcomed the NASCAR stars and as usual, the Regiment organised an armoured vehicule display for the public. This year, our regular force counterpart, the 12e RBC from Valcartier, provided a Coyote type armoured recce vehicule .

After a summer of individual training, September was the occasion to take the pose as we started a new training year.

The Regiment, September 2014

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Also during our first September weekend, the Regiment welcomed two new “Friends of the Regiment”: Mr André Dumais (former troop leader in the 60’s who had a brilliant carrier with Shell Canada) and Mrs Michèle Allard (General Allard’s daughter who is involved in the community helping in many ways our unit when needed). Below, there are receiving their coin and their certificates from the colonel of the Regiment, brigadier-general Albert Geddry, in the presence of honorary lieutenant-colonel Pierre Ayotte, behind representing the “Friends of the Regiment” former honorary lieutenant-colonel Pierre Couture and CO lieutenant-colonel Stéphan LeBlanc. The “Friends of the Regiment” are a select group that helps the Regiment interacting with the civilian community.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- On September 27, our brigade HQ help a parade to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Connaught Barracks, home of our Brigade HQ. Our own Museum Demonstration troop took part in the ceremony in their 1812 uniforms. Below, the Québec Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable Pierre Duchesne, is inspecting our troop before their musket fire.

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The Regiment Recce Squadron deployed four times during the fall under the command of Major François Rousseau. Here are some pictures of the squadron members during their training:

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As usual, Remembrance Day activities were held all over the country on November 9th and November 11th. This year’s ceremony was again a great success with more than 200 people parading in Trois-Rivières. In the photo below is Mr Dowie, your 12 CAR rep, laying a wreath in front of Cathy, our memorial Sherman:

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In front of the Regiment Down Town Trois-Rivières ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This year’s annual Christmas Troop luncheon took place on December 6th. Here are some of our visitors. You can recognize on the first row (sitting from left to right): lcol (ret) Rousseau (CO 1971), CWO Gilbert (RSM 1949), M. Vern Dowie (12th CAR), and lcol(ret) Duquet (CO 1968).

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After a short regimental ceremony where medals, yearly trophies and CO’s mentions were awarded, the troopers gathered around the Christmas meal to be served by the officers and senior NCOs

In conclusion, be reassured that the Regiment is in good shape. It’s always a pleasure to meet you; your experiences are still shared by all of us. We are proud of what you accomplished and you can be proud of the troopers of this generation that are working hard to keep up to your example.

PS: Previous Newsletters are available on the Association Website: http://www.12rbc.ca/nouvelles/439-infolettre

The RSM and I wish you happy holidays,

Adsum!

Lcol Stéphan LeBlanc, CD CWO Jacques Hébert, CD CO, 12e RBC, Trois-Rivières RSM, 12e RBC, Trois-Rivières