RCMP VETERANS – Vancouver Division – April General Meeting

Just an update on what is happening within the division.

We had a very interesting presentation from A/Comm. Adam Palmer which
covered his transition from Chief of Police Vancouver Police Services
to his position as an A/Comm. with the RCMP.  He discussed his
feelings of retiring from one policing function, and moving to another
policing function with the Force.  Of interest, he is on paper in a
FTE from Ottawa HQ and is working remotely from E Div HQ Green
Timbers.   He is a very well spoken executive with some great ideas in
moving the Forces recruitment issues and getting applicants processed
more efficiently.  Thank you David Reece for your thoughtful
introduction.

Our luncheon today was very successful and special thanks to the
following executive who had a hand in organizing this day.  Karen
Frost, Budd Cram, Marv Bayda, Ric Hall, John Sherstone, David
Attfield, David Reece, Denise and Dorothy Martinson, and Ray Power,
thanks to you all for your efforts in making this luncheon a success.

We also successfully passed two financial motions. 1) Expenses of
approximately $1600 for Karen Frost to represent the Division in
Prince Edward Island at the National Veterans Association AGM, and 2)
expenses if $2200 to move our very old and outdated website to the
National web site server.  This is a one time expense and we will no
longer have a monthly web fee.

President Ray Power presented Veteran Jane Hall with her King Charles
III Coronation Medal.

Further, our storage locker is finally bare (thanks David Attfield),
and that monthly expense is eliminated.

Merv Bayda has been successful in getting us registered to run  50/50
draw and thanks to him we can have a little fun down the road at
events.  We just have to figure out how to stop our treasurer from
winning it.  Congrats Bud.

I’m still searching for a Veteran in the Chilliwack area to come onto
the executive and represent the area.  Contact me if you are
interested.  If you want to join David Attfield on the Honour Guard
that would be a bonus.

In Support and Advocacy some interesting developments have occurred
and I thank everyone who responded to my most recent emails with your
kind comments.  It is gratifying to know the emails are having an
effect and members are getting their VA claims updated etc. Of special
note, I’ve recently seen Veterans Affairs start referring to PTSD as a
multidisciplinary disease that is now being linked to other underlying
problems such as sleep apnea, IBS, etc.  This is important as we are
learning that Dementia and Alzheimer Disease are often caused or
brought on by the stress related factor.  So if you have an
Operational Stress Injury it’s important that you keep it up to date
with VA with assessment updates and apply for any related conditions
like Sleep Apnea.   It comes into play with meaning, if in later years
you are ever placed in care, it kicks in Attendance Allowance and
Exceptional Incapacity Allowance, which means there is funding
available for your family to use.

For those of you who worked with Veteran Cal Sanderson he has recently
gone into care in Surrey after his Dementia worsened making it
necessary for his care.  If you wish I’m sure his wife Val would like
to hear from you.

My apologies to Ray Kielan as I got the date of Helen’s death wrong.
It was April 13, 2026.

If you noticed our Chaplain Bill Ashbee was wearing his red blazer
today.  Bill, I will no longer worry about looking better than you at
a Celebration of Life and welcome to being an Associate Member.  If
you wish to have a red blazer tailored for you, contact me as I have
the details on how to order it.  Also if you would like a name tag
made please let me know and I’ll pass the information on to David
Attfield.  I believe it will cost $17 and you can e-transfer that
prior to us placing an order.

Lastly we are looking for expressions of interest as to who would like
a navy crested golf shirt (Ric Hall was wearing one today). If we got
enough to make a run we would reach out to our supplier for a cost.

As always it was a pleasure to see you out today.  Continue to walk on
the top side of the soil and until our next meeting stay healthy and
well.

Murray F. Macham

RCMP Veterans Association

Vancouver Division

Vice President and Support & Advocacy