The Blue Helmets
Attention
Veterans of United Nations Missions
For some time, a small group of "Peacekeepers" talked about forming an organization for those who served on "United Nations" missions.
In the spring of 1997, they succeeded in doing just that. The organization is one of three registered UN Veterans Associations in Canada. Membership is available to all "Veterans of United Nations Peacekeeping Missions" both active and retired.
The aim of the organization is as follows:
a) to constitute an association for individuals,
1. who served with United Nations Forces,
2. who supported, by virtue of their employment, United Nations Forces, and,
3. for the individual’s partners.
b) to bring about the unity of all who have so served,
c) to serve as a social focus and a means of mutual assistance for its members,
d) to perpetuate the memory and deeds of fallen comrades who lost their lives in defense of Freedom and Peace,
e) to keep alive the spirit and camaraderie of those as listed in a) 1 & 2 only,
f) to liaise with other organizations whose purposes and objects are wholly or in part the same as or similar,
g) to pass on to their families and descendants the traditions for which they stand,
h) to engage only in activities which will be to the credit and benefit of Canadian communities and which will encourage and promote the positive reputation of those as listed in a) 1 & 2 only,
i) to be non political and non-sectarian.
We are also registered with Revenue Canada as a charitable organization, under the name of
The Blue Helmets Fund.We are very active following describes some of our participations:
a) Purchased supplies for 130 grade 1 to 4 students in two schools that were adopted by our troops in Bosnia,
b) Obtain some materials to send to the troops in Golan Heights, Bosnia and other missions to help them celebrate Canada Day,
c) Attended Base Gagetown’s 40th Anniversary ceremony on 01 July 1998,
d) Participate in Canada Days parade in Oromocto and Fredericton. In 1999 the Peacekeeping Float placed 3rd in the Oromocto Parade. In 2000 we placed 2nd in both areas, and in 2001 placed 1st in Oromocto.
e) On a yearly basis we participate in Woodstock NB Old Home week parade.
f) On a yearly basis we participate by providing Color Party and contingency for Remembrance Service in local High School,
g) Participate as a separate unit in the Remembrance Day parade, and lay a wreath for Peacekeepers,
h) Have a yearly Reunion, which includes a Meet & Greets, attendance has been very good. At these events, it has been noted that some of the members re-acquaint themselves with comrades they hadn’t seen for many years, and a good time is had by all,
i) Have our own newsletter titled
j) Have designed a certificate to go with the CPSM and is available to members at no extra cost by just indicating as to when and how the medal was presented.
k) On an ongoing basis we pass the word on to Veterans of United Nations Peacekeeping Missions about the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal (CPSM)
l) Making Peacekeeping presentations to interested groups who wish to know more about what our soldiers encounter while on United Nations Peacekeeping Missions.
Members of The Blue Helmets are from various parts of the country.
The home of The Blue Helmets is the Military Museum at CFB Gagetown where our Colours are on display along with United Nations artefacts from various Peacekeeping Missions.
Our Semi-Annual General Meeting is held during the first part of June and the Annual General Meeting is held on the weekend closest to the 24 October that is the Anniversary of United Nations. Friday evening we have a Meet and Greet. Saturday the Military Museum is opened at 10:00 for visitation. The meeting is held at 14:00, dinner at17:00, followed by a social gathering in the lounge.
For additional information contact the undersigned
Phone: 506-472-3215, or,
E-mail: fredleb@nbnet.nb.ca
In the Service of Peace and, for our Veterans
Fred LeBlanc, President
17 DeWitt Acres
Fredericton NB E3A 6S3
