NEWS

November 1, 2008
Inaugural Change of Command for Fort Conestoga

After six years at the helm, Major Roman Ciecwierz turned over command to Major Anthony Owen Lea in a traditional military ceremony held at Westmount Golf and Country Club. Major Lea (right) pictured with Colonel Commandant Robert G. Darling, is one of the founding members of Fort Conestoga.

The event was well attended by officers, friends as well as officers of York Garrison which led to a successful and very enjoyable evening. Major Ciecwierz was promoted to Honourary Lieutenant Colonel in recognition of his service and then immediately promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and appointed Eastern Region Commander by Col. Darling.

September 2008
Smart Board makes a Big Splash!

Captain Tony Lea, 2IC and Ensign Brian Turnbull, Education Officer present a "Smart Board" to Principal Bruce Alexander. As part of the education outreach plan of Fort Conestoga, grade 3 students at Keats Way Public School, had a taste for history through a heraldry contest sponsored by Fort Conestoga, and Duplicon (the Smart Board provider). Students traced their family roots to see that history can be fun and educational!

March 2008
Fort Conestoga brings the Frasers and the Highlanders to the Classroom

Education Officer Ensign Brian Turnbull (pictured far right), Lieutenant Rod Smith (in Scarlets) and Captain Paul Federico (in kilt) join Grade 10 teacher Jason Vander Meulen at Waterloo Collegiate Institute.

Captain Federico brought the life of a Highlander in the mid-18th Century to light for the two grade 10 classes while Lt. Smith highlighted the contributions of the 78th Fraser Highlanders. This in-school program was the first presentation made by Fort Conestoga as part of their Education plan.

February 12, 2008
Command Group Selects New Beneficiary in Charitable Works Program

Fort Conestoga provides funding to Ste. Anne's Hospital Foundation for purchase of a 19 inch colour, Optelec Video Magnifiers (info at www.optelec.com) for our Veterans with visual disabilities.

Ste. Anne's Hospital, Located in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Quebec, is the only remaining hospital in Canada entirely dedicated to the care of our Canadian Veterans.  Ste. Anne's Hospital ranks as a leader in various fields such as physical restraint reduction, infection, wound and falls prevention, end of life care and pain management.

November 2, 2007
The Kitchener Rangers, OHL hockey club, wear a special Remembrance Day jersey

The 3rd Annual Remembrance Day Jersey Auction pays tribute to the many veterans who fought in battle for us all. The Rangers wore a special commemorative Remembrance Day Jersey for their game on Friday, November 2, 2007 against the Erie Otters. The special jersey, worn once, portrays the Remembrance Day theme as well as honouring the 1956 K-W Dutchmen Canadian Olympic Hockey Team. The Jersey has been designed to be fully crested with Rangers shields on the shoulder and the maple leaf with a poppy centred on the chest. The Jersey is in a Rangers blue colour.  

During the game a silent auction will take place. Fans may bid on any of the jerseys that are worn. All proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the 78th Fraser Highlanders Fort Conestoga Garrison and a number of organizations it has chosen to support as part of its mandate to remember not only the past, but to also be mindful of the present. Beneficiaries have included the KW Poppy Fund and the London Military Family Resource Centre in support of soldiers in Afghanistan.

October 25, 2007
Fort Conestoga participates in Military Heritage Day

Officers of Fort Conestoga Garrison, 78th Fraser Highlanders manned a display and talked to members of the public about the history of the Regiment and its importance to Canada's History.

The annual event, hosted by the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada, and held at the Cambridge Armouries, is well attended by a wide range of historical groups, honouring Canada's military past. Displays include historical weapons, artifacts, and information.

May 10, 2007
Fort Conestoga Win 2nd Annual "Claret Cup" Challenge

Hidden Lakes Golf Course in Burlington was the site of the 2nd annual golf challenge between Fort Conestoga and York Garrisons. Using the Callaway handicapping system, team Fort Conestoga walked away with the honours. The "Claret Cup" produced for Fort Conestoga by local artist Jason l'Abbe was introduced in 2006 for the inaugural event (won by York) held at Whistle Bear in Cambridge.

The annual event is intended to foster further camaraderie and perhaps a little friendly competition between the two garrisons. Major David Clark, OC York Garrison is seen here, reluctantly surrendering the claret jug to Fort Conestoga OC, Major Roman Ciecwierz.

October 19, 2005
Fort Conestoga begins sponsorship of Canadian Battlefields Foundation

At a Regimental Mess Dinner held at the Officer's Mess of the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada, Cambridge Armouries, Fort Conestoga marked its transition from Outpost to newly formed Garrison by presenting a cheque to Professor Terry Copp. Professor Copp is a published author, professor of history, Co-Director of the Laurier Centre for Military, Strategic and Disarmament Studies and Director of the Canadian Battlefields Foundation.

The Foundation was established in 1992 to educate and actively promote public awareness of Canada's role in the Second World War and of Canada's contributions to peace and freedom in the wars of the twentieth century. With an initial donation of $2,000, Fort Conestoga has agreed to provide financial support to the creation of a battlefield viewing area and park located in Caen France as a tribute to Canada's role in the Battle of Normandy.

"If we want Canada's military contributions to be known, we must promote them."
Professor Terry Copp

Laurier Centre
Canadian Battlefields Foundation

June 20, 2002
York Garrison Establishes Conestoga Outpost

The Conestoga Outpost held its inaugural Mess Dinner at the Officer's Mess of the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada, Cambridge Armouries. LCol Stuart Anderson (left) and Major Roman Ciecwierz (right) stand with LCol Mark Fisher, Commanding Officer of the RHF of C in front of the certificate granting Outpost status.