In This Issue
HKVCA President's Message
Thank goodness summer has finally come! I am sure we are all enjoying the warm temperatures and the wonderful sunshine.
By-Law Changes Update (see information from Derrill): All the Board of Directors (BOD) will be staying in place until we work through the new bylaw changes dictated by the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (“CNCA”). The BOD will be happy to answer any questions members may be concerned about when we have our changes completed. There will be information in the following newsletters to guide everyone through the changes.
RE: the Memorial Wall corrections: Meetings have been held with a company that has agreed to do the work, pending paperwork and permits that need to be obtained to make the changes. This will mean dismantling the Wall so the panels can be reused – which will save money. However, equipment and permits to do the work are costly so we are still fundraising - please send any ideas for this to the BOD so that we can guide you. Donations are always accepted (with a tax receipt issued). Send them to Treasurer Barry Mitchell with a note to say where the money is to be dedicated.
So if you are planning a trip to Ottawa this summer, there is a strong possibility that the wall may be under construction. We don't have the exact dates of the work, but once we do know, we can post an update on the website. Please be aware that you may not be able to approach the wall if it is being worked on and panels may in fact be missing. This will be the last time that it will be inaccessible to the public. There will be no more changes.
Convention 2015 will be hosted by the Atlantic Region so stay tuned for more details. Use of HK crest There has been discussion about the use of the HK crest (red round patch with white HK in the centre). This patch is a battle honour given to the HK veterans by the Canadian Government to show their distinguished service to our country. It should not be used by anyone else except this elite group of men. In Phil Doddridge’s words to someone wanting to use the patch – “I would like to emphasize, however, that eligibility for membership in the Hong Kong Veterans' Association was closed on December 25, 1941. While to others it may not seem important, but to us the badge is a sacred emblem in the memory of our fallen comrades. I know that you are sincere in your wish to honour us, but as a Hong Kong Veteran, I would feel much more at ease if you would not wear the badge designed for us in 1945.” So if anyone wishes to honour this “band of brothers” they may join the HKVCA and wear our crest proudly, as we all do, and help with the work to keep their name prominent in the education of Canadians. I wish to thank Sheila Forsyth for becoming the Editor of this newsletter and making a good start with the first edition in March 2014. Thank you so much Sheila, I appreciate the time that you are committing to this project. Please enjoy your summer and be good to one another. All the best from my family to yours. Carol Response to student statement from Spring NewsletterIn In the Spring newsletter as part of the BC report there was a statement that was very upsetting to our veterans, especially George Peterson. "After one of our presentations a young girl came forward and explained that she was in Japan on an exchange program and met the Vice Foreign Minister who gave our veterans an insincere apology. She stated, ‘If she had been aware of the insincere apology, she would have questioned the Minister.’” On behalf of George Peterson, President of the HKVA in Manitoba, National Vice President of the HKVA, AND as a member of the contingent that went to Japan and received the SINCERE apology from the Japanese government, he would like to state that the comment made by the student who had spent some time in Japan was incorrect and he is very concerned and disappointed that she came to this conclusion when she wasn't present for the apology. Carol Hadley |
