About The C.A.V
Since the Canadian Army Veteran (CAV) Motorcycle Units were started in 2003, they have assisted, and continue to assist, numerous charities in achieving their monetary goals. Charity Event Riding and Community Support Events are an integral part of many of our members CAV/VAC Adventure-No one 'Has' to participate in these as members but there are always those willing to assist International, National and local charities. There are certain charities such as ICROSS and the Tony Stacey Centre for Veterans Care that the CAV/VAC supports directly with all the monies raised going directly to these charities. The CAV/VAC also assists other events such as the Red Ride and Ride for Dad by providing volunteers and participating in the rides. The CAV/VAC will continue to support charities and fund raisers and all members are to be congratulated for the continued support that they offer.
History
In 1941 a recruiting image was used to identify a type of Canadian citizen that was needed to serve in Canada's Military. It depicted a mounted soldier, on a motorcycle, with the image of his ancestors surrounding him in the form of a ghostly mounted warrior Cavalryman. This image was entitled in French and English as: "Notre Armee A Besoin De Bons Canadiens/Our Army Is Looking For Good Canadians".
Many Canadian Veterans have formed into tightly knit Units to continue the Traditions and Bonds formed in War and Peace. These Unit's origin's were a common respect for it's member's histories and needs. The C.A.V was formed by Canadian Army Veteran's who's common history was as motorcyclists, on and off duty, serving our Country in every Theatre and Operation, and the need to continue that service as Motorcyclists
Our Crest
We are Canadian Army Veterans (C.A.V.) a national brotherhood of Canadian Army, Air Force and Navy Veterans who are motorcycle enthusiasts. We volunteered and earned Canadian Forces qualifications, we served in regiments, on bases and ships in Canada and overseas. Now we volunteer mounted on motorcycles across Canada, supporting each other and our communities in charity rides and events.
Members gather in Units named in tribute of Canadian Battle honours. The C.A.V. ride as Canadian Veteran Motorcyclists, gaining strength and fellowship. Our Mission is to provide our members with a Unit to continue service to each other and our Communities and Country. We are not a gang, or a club. We are a Brotherhood of Canadian Army Veterans, mounted on Motorcycles of all different types. There are other Military Veterans Organizations and we support them, but we stand alone united under our connection to all Military Motorcyclists, past and present.
We maintain the values of our uniformed service - those of integrity, legitimacy, honour and strength into our veteran's duties to our community.
Ours is an honourable veteran's organization. The physical hardship we endured, the mental discipline we needed to conquer obstacles has made us stronger, smarter and uniquely qualified to continue serving our communities and country. We hope to keep alive the bonds formed during our military service.
Our philosophy, guidelines and rules can be found in The C.A.V Constitution.
Waiver: The Canadian Army Veteran Motorcycle Unit (C.A.V.) will not be held responsible or liable in any way in cases of injuries or death, or damage to property during any riding event. All C.A.V. Riders and members ride and participate on planned or unplanned event rides at their own risk and under their own responsibility in regards to abiding by traffic regulations and governing laws. Individual Riders are themselves solely responsible for their own actions, legal responsibilities and consequences of their actions and/or inactions.
2010 annual National Presidents message
C.A.V.-Canadian Army Veterans motorcycle units, V.A.C.- Vétéran armée canadien mu.
Welcome to 2010! - our 7th year of 'ride and have fun while helping others' mission, 'strength and honour' our motto - strength to face every day, honour in doing so, in the best ways possible!
During the whirlwind of the past 6 years of riding, our organization's many success's have identified the unique 'resource' - that is the veteran and supporter member identified by a single CAV/VAC crest, with nothing above or below that simple image - of a world war 2 dispatch rider - front wheel airborne-ready to take up any challenge - while having a ball riding! Our logo clearly shows, as has our every action - the pure positive goal, of our units - each named after battle honours earned by our ancestors - to recognize and remember always the sacrifice of military service by all generations of our nation - sacrifice's of the past, present and future. The freedoms we enjoy as citizens, especially the open road - will never be forgotten by our membership - even today our country's soldiers, aircrew and sailors are facing a brutal enemy, one that has caused us much sorrow. The CAV/VAC family's direct support of our comrades in arms will never waver!
We can be found at every troop support rally, ride, or event organized by others, or created by our members. Whether a veteran, represented alongside our 'honorary Rider in Chief for Veterans Rick Hillier', past Chief of Defense - or a veteran supporter, represented alongside our 'honorary Rider in Chief of Veteran Supporters, Wayne Rostad', holder of the Order of Canada - we lead the way in establishing many such occasions, from coast to coast to coast - having helped raise and direct millions of dollars of funds towards every example of need seen in our nations communities.
Nationally, as an organization, we also ride for ICROSS, the 'International Community for the Relief Of Starvation and Suffering' at our national CAV/VAC rendezvous in Kenora Ontario at our ''Maj Gen Lewis Mackenzie Order of Canada honour ride'', a proud member of CAV. This first long weekend of August annual event begins with members arriving from across Canada - raising funds for the worlds poorest people - lately we've seen the purchase of a blood analysis machine and then an x-ray machine for Africa, next -feeding facilities and renewed vision for the poor and blind of Madagascar through this fellow veteran lead groups contacts and staff.
The 'Ride For Dad' has always been a focus of many of our riders, remembering that this event in 2003 was the CAV organizations founding moment, in addition to the life saving prostate cancer message, in that over 11 men die daily due to being undiagnosed, a curable cancer - if only detected. We have led the way in supporting 'R4D' helping their crucial life saving message spread, even spearheading Provincial support efforts.
Our military's current mission in Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf and many UN /NATO deployments is fully supported, recognizing our direct link to still serving or retired forces membership. The CAV/VAC is a mirror image of the honour of the Canadian military, our 1st CAV-VAC in central Canada, 2nd CAV in eastern Canada and 3rd CAV in the west - all united in outreach to the veteran and still serving element in our community. Military Family Resource Centers, Red Friday rallies, Army Marathon Runs, Silver Cross family support - any local fundraiser or support event will soon hear the roar of our beloved motorcycles - whether it's VAC's bikes in the bay Campbell's Bay event, or Kingston's CAV bike show hosted by Vimy unit - 3rd CAV's rendezvous as in Victoria last season - or 2nd CAV's Botwood ride to support the youth of Newfoundland - even on the international scene, CAV/VAC has donated over 10,000 dollars to Fisher House in Landsthul Germany in direct support to the families of our wounded soldiers - as they stay far from home at our Heroes bedsides - you'll find wind blown proud CAV riders standing by when needed!
As our Forces face the losses and casualties of combat - you'll also find the CAV/VAC. Whether lining the Trenton tarmac or Toronto Coroner's Office for repatriations of our fallen - or supporting the 'Soldier On' program, beside Jody Mitic - a proud CAV member, or supporting 'Wounded Warrior' programs or 'Highway of Heroes rides' - our riders never forget that all our military personnel are heroes - everyone who serves! our own Silver Cross family coordinator Darlene Cushman, rides hard supported by our national membership to ensure that her son Darryl's sacrifice, and that of his brothers and sisters is honoured daily. We stand by solidly watching street dedications, memorial unveilings and events honouring all who've paid the ultimate price - lately it was our honour wearing proudly our CAV/VAC vests - to stand by Darlene's side in the Rideau Hall residence of the Governor General as her family, and many others, received the Medal Of Sacrifice, then later to meet Prince Charles, the honourary Colonel in Chief to the Royal Canadian Dragoons, as he visited the families of our fallen.
Veterans homes across Canada know the CAV well! if at Moncton's Atlanticade last season, Toronto's Tony Stacey Center - Cold Lake's extended care facility or from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland - those heroes of the military past, and their families, understand well our pledge to honour those who once laid their very lives at the altar of sacrifice - their 'golden years' enriched by the funds raised or simple hand shake and a visit, by those proud to look them in the eye and say aloud 'thank you for your service'. I've seen many times incredulous family members and staff look on in wonder as a warrior of old related an experience - never to be forgotten, but rarely spoken of – now told of in hushed tones to a CAV rider.
It has been my honour to play a small part in the CAV/VAC's growth during these past 6 seasons. I've had the opportunity to ride my bike 7 times across our country, every moment for the organization. we've all come to enjoy as our family. I've ridden 149,000 km's in the last 11 months - witnessing first hand every single units unique energy - being humbled daily by your personal and collective strength and honour. To this effect we've cemented into place a 'CAV/VAC strength and honour contract' a signed contract or pledge to ensure that we bring only our best to the CAV we treasure. This step ensuring a uniform positive experience nation wide.
Every new member, every renewal, will learn of the history of our past success's, our local, formation and national events and focus - all will also learn of the leadership essential to our continuing enjoyment - who 'has and is' setting the standard - and importantly - learning from lessons of the past-for the upcoming leadership! All members must be current with our ever changing constitution, our seeking of not for profit status of the riding side of CAV - alongside the CAV/VAC kitshop,as well as the national insurance we've acquired - even the legal use of our organizations logo, an identity hard ridden for - an identity that we will protect using every means possible to continue forward using 'strength and honour' as our motto and 'ride and have fun while helping others' as our mission!
As co-founder and your National President, I want to ensure that its understood clearly by everyone - I see your every success - as has our country. I've witnessed proudly your example - setting a high standard for onlooking motorcyclists and veteran groups as well as fellow citizens - as CAV/VAC we're all equal, as veteran or veteran supporter - regardless of past service, no matter what brand of bike- you've continued to leave life's negative energy outside of CAV time - making us a haven for good times - your leadership pledges to secure the future!
It's your heart and hard working hands that have made positive history for the past 6 years!! this organization is the success it is - only due to your great energy!
I look forward to riding at your sides and enjoying the coming 2010's riding energy - as I know each of you do! it's my wish to meet everyone of you as soon as possible on the proud sunny days ahead - my continuing 'Trapper's Patrol' will take me once again to your homes - the future is clear and strong for all of us in the CAV/VAC family!
Trapper Cane CD
co-founder National President The CAV/VAC