SARVA Re-unions Over the Years
by Earle Wood and Tom Clausen
The South Alberta Veterans Association had their first reunion in February of 1946 at the MacDonald Hotel in Edmonton. Earle Wood notes there was a large turnout of people. Rob Rassmussen was the MC. There were a number of officers there including Major Nash, Capt. Newt Hughes, Capt. Laing, Capt. Barfield and several others. A nice dinner was served and dancing followed, "of course we were still young enough to dance". Earle states the next reunion he attended was in 1963 at Nanaimo, it was hosted by Johnny Seccombe who was working at the Legion at the time. 22 members of the Regiment attended.
25th Reunion - There had been a reunion the previous year on July 3 & 4th at Medicine Hat. It was the 25th Annual Reunion is what the Medicine Hat News called it. The Reunion consisted of a Friday evening cocktail party at the Cecil Hotel, Saturday dinner and dance at the Knight of Columbus Hall, Riverside. The guest speaker was Danny McLeod of the Royal Military College, Kingston. On Sunday there was a breakfast and parade behind the Legion Band to St. Barnabas Church. Wreaths were laid by Brig. Wotherspoon and Reunion Chairman Bill Webb. 200 members and wives attended. For a look at the 25th Reunion - Medicine Hat activities - Click here.
August 5, 6 1972 Medicine Hat and Redcliffe, Alberta
August 5 and 6th 1979 Richmond B.C. The Chairman for this reunion was Earle Wood. The Vice-President at the time was Wes Goddard. The introduction of the guest speaker was handled by Roy Campbell and the guest speaker was Glen L. McDougall, Major, (Ret'd) Response was by David Mallet, Lieutenant (Ret'd). As a matter of interest registration for the 1979 reunion was $20.00 and rooms at the hotel were $35.00. Total income from Grey Cup raffle tickets, memberships, registrations as well as a Government donation of $1000. was $5206.44 The total expenses for this event were $4400.00 with a profit of $806.44.
July 31- August 1, 1983, Richmond B.C. Wes Goddard was Chairman.
47th Reunion - August 31, September 1,2 1987. Medicine Hat,
49th Reunion - September 16, 17 1989, Delta B.C. Thomas Clausen Chairperson, President of B.C. Division. Alex MacGillivary, Secretary-Treasurer. Introduction of Guest Speaker: Lt.Col. A.F. Coffin (Ret'd) to Major General George Kitching, (Ret'd) with response by Major W.J. McLeod.
50th Anniversary - September 22, 232 1990, Edmonton Alberta. This reunion was held at the Mayfair Hotel and hosted by Wally Jellis. The President of the Association at that time was Bob Rassmusen. The guest speaker was Brig. Gen. J. Summers. There was dancing until 21:00 hours.
The next Reunion was held on September 6,7, and 8th of 1991 in Nanaimo B.C. The President of the Association at that time was Alf Ball and Vic Childs was the Sec./Treas. Deals offered to members by the local business community were haircuts for $5.00, car rentals for three days and 300 Km. included for $89. Beer was only $1.50 !
In 1994 the 54th Reunion was held in Medicine Hat on June 10, 11th and 12th. The guest speaker was David Marshall.
In 1995 the 55th Reunion was held in Edmonton on September 22nd, 23rd and 24th. This is where we had the Laying of the Colours at the Edmonton City Hall.
The 56th Anniversary Reunion was held at Niagara Falls at the Venture Inn on September 19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd. The President was Harry Quarton and "Life in the SAR", Major Danny McLeod. MC.CD.
The 58th Anniversary Reunion was held on May 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th at the Weston Hotel in Edmonton. This was the Book Launching event and the entertainment for the Regimental Dinner was provided by the L.E.R. Drum Corps. Harry Quarton was the President and Danny McLeod introduced the overseas guests. There were remarks by Maj.General George Kitching, Col. Bert Coffin, LCol. Harry Quarton and David Marshall as well as Donald E. Graves, the Author.
In 1999 the Annual Reunion was held on May 14, 15th. and 16th in Penticton B.C.
On May 3, 4th and 5th of 2000 the Annual Reunion was held in Ottawa.
Victoria B.C. was the scene for the 63rd Anniversary Reunion held on October 17, 18th and 19th of 2003. 134 people attended the Regimental Dinner. At the Annual General Meeting it was determined that the next Reunion will be held in Edmonton Alberta on September 10th, 11th and 12th of 2004.
* The bulk of the information presented was done so through the efforts and memories of Earle Wood and Tom Clausen. If you have information that we can add to what we already have please send me an e-mail and I will be glad to post it.
2008 - 2008 Reunions
2008 reunion - The Association returned to Victoria, B.C. in October for a successful Reunion. The weather cooperated and we had 80 members at the Regimental Dinner after a great tour of the Canadian Forces Base, Esquimalt. First steps were taken to join our Association with the Regiment and Foundation.
2009 reunion - We returned to the Westin in Edmonton for our 69th Anniversary and Reunion. We had a well organized tour of the Edmonton Garrison. Finalized our amalgamation arrangements and elected a new Committee under Swatty Wotherspoon, President, Wayne Cameron, Vice President, Mike Crawford, Lisa Robson, Joe Strathern Jr. and Dr. David Hyttenrauch. Calgary was chosen for the next Reunion unless a 2010 Tour to celebrate VE Day takes place.