500 (City of Winnipeg) Wing, Royal Canadian Air Force Association meets the third Tuesday of the month at Unit 283 Anavets, 3584 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg at 1330 hours (1:30PM). A link to a map can be found here.
MEMBERSHIP!
Not a member yet but interested? Contact the Wing or Maureen Craigon via email (see below) to inquire. Joining is easy and we welcome new members. You don’t have to be a current or retired military member; anyone who supports the Aims and Objectives of the Association may join. Not only will members receive a subscription to AirForce Magazine (one of the best military aviation publications available), you’ll be supporting RCAF Association activities at both the national and local level. Thank you for your support!
2024-25 Membership Dues:
- Individual (includes AirForce magazine): $75 ($54 to National, $21 to 500 Wing)
- Individual (without AirForce magazine): $70 ($49 to National, $21 to 500 Wing)
- Joint: $130 ($54 plus $34 to National, $42 to 500 Wing)
Payment may be made by cash, cheque (payable to 500 Wing RCAF Association) or by Electronic Money Transfer (EMT) to treasurer500wing@outlook.com. Please advise Maureen of your preferred membership and method payment.
UPCOMING EVENTS OF NOTE!
- NEW! September 15, 2024: Garden of Memories Dedication Ceremony and Battle of Britain Parade, Air Force Heritage Park, Air Force Way, CFB/17 Wing Winnipeg, time TBD. A major 500 Wing initiative, and to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Garden of Memories and the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force, 500 Wing will re-dedicate the Garden of Memories during the Battle of Britain Parade. More details to follow.
- September 17, 2024: Regular meeting.
- October 15, 2024: Regular meeting.
- November 11, 2024: City of Winnipeg Remembrance Day Service, RBC Convention Centre, time TBD. More details to follow.
- November 19, 2024: Regular meeting.AGM and wrap-up luncheon.
- December 17, 2024: Christmas/Seasonal Luncheon. Guests welcome!
- January 14, 2025: Regular meeting.
- February 18, 2025: Regular meeting.
- March 18, 2025: Regular meeting.
- April 15, 2025: RCAF Anniversary luncheon. Guests welcome!
- May 20, 2025: Regular meeting.
- June 17, 2025: AGM/Wrap-up meeting. Guests welcome!
RMIM SPEAKER NIGHTS: see RMIM calendar here.
500 Wing maintains a membership with the Royal Military Institute of Manitoba (RMIM) which permits all members of 500 Wing to attend RMIM speaker events, usually at the 17 Wing Officers’ Mess. Please consult the RMIM calendar for upcoming events of interest and follow the RVSP instructions at the top of the calendar page.
500 WING RCAFA MANITOBA AIR CADET GRANT
In 2023, 500 (City of Winnipeg) Wing established the 500 Wing RCAFA Manitoba Air Cadet Grant. Using the proceeds of our monthly 50/50 draws, and working with the Air Cadet League of Manitoba, a deserving Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron (RCACS) will be selected annually to receive a grant of $250.
The recipient of the inaugural, and 2022-23 season grant, was 263 RCACS (Intrepid) Melita.
On March 12, 2024, 500 Wing Chair, Jason Graveline (centre), along with Vice-Chairs Stan Blady (left) and Roger Mussard (right), made the 10-hour, 770km round trip from Winnipeg to Melita to present the cheque. They were enthusiastically welcomed by the CO, Lt Saundra McMurdo (centre), and the Cadets of 263 RCACS.
ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE 2024 CENTENNIAL
April 1, 2024 marks 100 years of service for the Royal Canadian Air Force as a distinct military element. For more information about the history of the RCAF, the Centennial, events and to acquire Centennial merchandise, please visit the Centennial website at https://rcaf2024arc.ca/.
GARDEN OF MEMORIES COMMEMORATION BOOKLET
When the Garden of Memories, located across from 1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters in Winnipeg, was created in 1997, those who purchased stones were asked to provide details of service of the person being commemorated.
Sincere gratitude to Norman Malayney for investing a tremendous amount of time and effort in transcribing information for 1247 of the stones located in the Garden and to Gordon Crossley for ensuring the commemorations are up-to-date and accurate.
A newly revised version of the information booklet (V.5 eff 25 July 2023) is available here.
For more information, contact 500 Wing at:
500 (City of Winnipeg) Wing, RCAFA
Suite 189
PO Box 17000 Stn Forces
Winnipeg, MB R3J 3Y5
or by email at RCAFA500@outlook.com
The 500 Wing Board of Directors and Officers:
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- Chair: Jason Graveline
- Vice-Chair: Stan Blady
- 2nd Vice-Chair: Roger Mussard
- Secretary: Norman Malayney
- Treasurer: Roger Mussard
- Heritage: Gordon Crossley
- Sergeant-at-Arms: Doug Harry
- Membership: Maureen Craigon
