904 (Lake Chapala-Mexico) Wing
Air Force Association of Canada
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Last updated
June 11, 2010
Wing Newletters
November 2008 |
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In This Issue:
- Editor's Message
- Objectives of the Association
- History of the Association
- Air Force Association Motto
- Nostalgia Night
- Welcome Back Snowbirds BBQ
- Best Ball Golf Tournament
- 904 Wing Program
Editor's Message
This month the focus of Slip Stream is the Royal Canadian Air Force Association. Each time a new member joins the Association and receives the membership certificate they pledge to uphold the principles and objectives of the Association. As a reminder to all of us the Association objectives from the National website are provided here along with a brief history and an interesting note on the origin of the Association Motto.
Objectives of the Association
- To preserve and perpetuate the glorious traditions of the Royal Canadian Air Force and all who served in it.
- To provide a forum for serving and former participants in military and civil aviation.
- To sponsor and encourage aeronautics in all its forms and branches.
- To sponsor and encourage aeronautics in all its forms and branches.
- To support Air Cadets and work closely with the Air Cadet League of Canada, and to participate in local civic and community programs, especially those designed to develop the physical, mental and moral well-being of our nation's youth.
- To undertake charitable and other projects of both a national and local character.
- To work with the RCAF Benevolent Fund and various veterans organizations in the attainment of their objectives.
- To promote and encourage responsible citizenship among all Canadians.
- To advocate a proficient and well equipped Air Force in Canada
The Royal Canadian Air Force Association was formed in 1948 as a national advocacy group to support the Royal Canadian Air Force, and to unite Air Force veterans of the Second World War.
Former Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal L.S. Breadner accepted the task of organizing the new association. He successfully enlisted the participation of various community groups and clubs of former airmen and airwomen, and also invited unaffiliated air veterans to join as members-at-large.
An Order-in-Council legitimized the new association. With Treasury Board funding and headquarters accommodation provided by the Department of National Defence, the RCAF Association held its first annual meeting in Ottawa, 16 September, 1948 at which ACM Breadner was named the first Dominion President. Much organizational and administrative work followed, and the first membership cards were issued in February, 1949.
Constitution and Bylaws were framed so that the Association could be incorporated under the Companies Act. A Charter under the Act was granted by the Secretary of State of Canada, on 14 May, 1951. Over the years the Association grew and prospered, closely linked with the Royal Canadian Air Force. However, in 1968, the RCAF ceased to exist with the unification and integration of Canada's three armed services. This event resulted in a gradual disconnect between the RCAF Association and Canada's air element, redressed to some degree with the formation of Air Command in 1975. Air Command then became the focal point for all regular and reserve Air Force activity. In 1992 it challenged the RCAF Association to re-position itself as both an advocacy group and a focal point for Air Force veteran activity.
Following nearly 30 years after the demise of the RCAF, a name change for the Association was proposed by Air Command to reflect that reality. A change of name was an emotional issue, and the proposal was exhaustively debated within the Association for more than a year before it came to a vote at the annual convention in Winnipeg in October, 1993. The vote was overwhelming, with 82.6% of delegates in attendance voting in favour of a name change.
On 1 July, 1994 the Air Force Association of Canada became the new official title of our Association. Over the following two years, the membership of the Association has grown by 30%, to nearly 16,000 regular wing members and members-at-large, and an estimated 5,000 associate members. There are 74 Wings or chapters across Canada and in the western United states (California and Colorado). Wings actively sponsor and support air cadets and other community activities.
Nationally, the Association is a strong advocate of a professional and well-equipped Air Force for Canada, and is an active advocacy of veterans rights through membership in the National Council of Veteran Associations.
Air Force Association Motto
"PER ARDUA AD ASTRA"
Despite numerous attempts over the years by Royal Air Force and other British authorities, no authoritative translation has been found.
King George V approved the motto on March 15, 1913 for the Royal Flying Corps during World War 1, and subsequently, the Royal Air Force in 1918. It had been used for many centuries as the motto of the Irish family of Mulvaney, and was first seen in Sir Henry Rider's novel "The People of the Mist.
Adopted by the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1924 and the Royal Australian Air Force in 1921 as their mottos, no one has ever been able to give a literal translation to it.
Nonetheless, its interpretation in English, accepted to being the most appropriate meaning, is "Through Adversity to the Stars" or "Through Difficulties to the Stars".
Association Historian, Fred Aldworth
Nostalgia Night
On 7 November the Wing held it's annual Nostalgia Night at La Nueva Posada. Members displayed a collection of interesting aviation books and shared some great stories from earlier days. On behalf of the members, I would like especially to extend thanks to President Ron Hudson, Ed Healy, Charlie Smith, Martin Inwood and Peter DeTracey for sharing some delightful memories.
Welcome Back Snowbirds B.B.Q.
Date: Friday, November 28, 2008
Place: Lake Chapala Society Gazebo, Bar and Rear Patio
Entrance: South West Door on Calle Ramon Corona
Time: 4:00 to 8:00 pm
Dress: Smart casual
Ticket Price: 150 pesos per person. Cash Bar.
Guests: Col. Ross Davis - Canadian Defence Attache in Mexico
Kathryn Aleong - Consul & Trade Commissioner of Canada in Guadalajara
Roberto Montoya - President of the AEMA - Guadalajara Squadron
Jeanne Chaussee - Reporter for the Guadalajara Reporter
Nancy Creevan - President of the Lake Chapala Society
904 Wing Golf Tournament
The "THIRD ANNUAL BEST BALL GOLF TOURNAMENT" will be held at the Chapala Country Club at Vista Del Lago on Tuesday, 27 Jan, 2009. Members will have the option of using a power cart (recommended) and be able to ENJOY their 18 holes of fun. There will be a shot gun start at 1:00 pm.
Dinner will be a Pit Roasted Pig slow cooked overnight, mixed buffet of salads & hot dishes plus dessert.
There will be door prizes as well as prizes for First, and Second place teams as well as the "Longest Drive" and "Closest to the Pin" for both Men and Ladies.
Per person prices are as follows:
- Golf and Dinner with cart and caddy - 700 pesos
- Golf and Dinner with caddy, no cart - 550 pesos
- Golf and Dinner for Members - 230 pesos
- Dinner only - 170 pesos
904 Wing Program
| Date | Day | Theme | Venue |
| 07 Nov 2008 | Fri | Nostalgia Night | La Nueva Posada |
| 11 Nov 2008 | Tue | Remembrance Day with American Legion | Chapala Cemetery, Veteran's Section |
| 15 Nov 2008 | Sat | Parade - 93rd Anniversary of the Colegio del Aire | Base Aerea #5 - Zapopan, Jalisco |
| 21 Nov 2008 | Fri | Beer Call | Roberto's Rincon del Cielo |
| 22 Nov 2008 | Sat | Guadalajara Flyers Air Show | Tlajomulco, Jalisco |
| 28 Nov 2008 | Fri | Welcome Back Showbirds BBQ | LCS Gazebo/Bar |
| 12 Dec 2008 | Fri | Regular Meeting - Guest Speaker | La Nueva Posada |
| 09 Jan 2009 | Fri | Regular Meeting | La Nueva Posada |
| 23 Jan 2009 | Fri | Beer Call | Roberto's Rincon del Cielo |
| 27 Jan 2009 | Tue | 904 Wing "Best Ball" Golf Tournament | Chapala Country Club |
| 13 Feb 2009 | Fri | Games Night | Games Night |