The CAV/VAC Founding
(L-R) Natl VP "Commander"; Co-Founder "Trapper"; Co-Founder "Doc"; Natl Pres "Ironmike" 2025 AGBM Trenton
This biography of the co-founders of the Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Units (The CAV) and subsequent Units will explain the birth of this great organization. It began with two military veteran motorcylists meeting at a Charity Ride in 2003. These two individuals were combining their love of motorcycle riding and at the same time were drawn to continue supporting their community after their military service. The instant bond on meeting at this ride, was a confirmation of the brotherhood forged by all, soldiers, sailors, or airmen during their military experience. These two riders were PM "Trapper" Cane and JSY "Doc" Lebrun.
PM "Trapper" Cane, MSM, CD, born in Cobourg, Ontario enlisted in 1970's in the Canadian Armed Forces, soldiered with Princess Patricias Canadian Light Infantry and the Canadian Airborne Regiment on numerous United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Operations, worldwide. A lifetie motorcyclist, he knew too well the fate that met many military survivors; one moment in time he was service in the Pathfinder Platoon, as a Sniper, Mountain Warfare Instructor and recently top candidate of the CAF's Advanced Recce Patrolman's Course. The next moment he was paralyzed after a 180 ft free descent after a parachute collapse on operations. Retired medically in the 1990's after 18 surgeries and 2 years in hospital, motorcycling was the only physical remainder of his old life.
JSY ‘Doc’ Lebrun CD, was a third-Generation soldier in his family and became a R22eR ‘VanDoo’ Soldier. Born in Quebec City he enlisted in the 1980’s. Qualified for most of what the Infantry offers, served operationally at Oka, Cyprus and, while in France, was the first Canadian to successfully engage a target with the Eryx Missile. Later at Medak Pocket he survived an ambush during which he was wounded, and after multiple surgeries stayed with his Regiment for a few more years. He was a cross country motorcyclist and was recently introduced to the thrill of dodging 18-wheelers and pot holes instead of trees and jumps and it was his interest in “How do you get a bunch of military riders together to enjoy this adventure”, that caused the initial meeting in his garage, the day after that initial charity ride. "I want to get closer to my way of life again (Doc)".
As Trapper says Doc was the spark, I was the punky old dried out tinder that lit the big fire that became the C.A.V.’’ [did we mention that Trapper was a Survival Instructor in Winter/Jungle Warfare?] At any rate, Trapper’s years of road riding and observing the good, bad and ugly of organized riding, led to the first constitution and the symbol that is The CAV, a WW2 dispatch rider [from a recruiting poster] and the name/acronym, ‘The CAV ‘Canadian Army Veterans’. This came to Trapper as he and Doc rode side by side on a beautiful summer day. Trapper yelled over to Doc “Remember this day, remember this spot, this is where it started”, Doc was asked to get a Vest for a Crest and as the manufacture of a custom crest had a minimal order of six, Trapper and Doc proudly sewed on their Identification as The CAV and at that point there were four extra crests…They laughingly said- ‘In 10 years if it’s just the two of us, then so be it”.
The CAV has grown to a national level riding group, with members from every province and Units from sea-to-sea-to-sea, gaining ‘Strength and Honour’ as each kilometer rolls by. The units and thousands of riders, both Veterans and Supporters, riding with the CAV/VAC, have helped direct over 10 million dollars nationwide for community needs. The future look’s bright and all roads are clear as the mission continues.
Finally, the two Cofounders of this Great 'Family' wish it said aloud, that neither felt that what they did was special, they were simply the first to do what thousands of patriotic Canadians, now identified as Riding Veterans or Supporters, would have eventually done. The co-founders have been humbled many hundreds of times by the Character, the Class, Strength, and Honour that their fellow CAV members have brought to the organization. Their families, the Veteran Supporters and the many Canadian heroes that have joined, ridden with, and continue to serve this great country are the real heroes. Since the Canadian Army Veteran (CAV/VAC) 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 and the Motorcycle Ride for Dad 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 fundraisers. 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 origins were a common respect for its member's histories and needs. The C.A.V was formed by Canadian Army Veteran Motorcycle Units whose 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.
We are Canadian Army Veterans (CAV) Motorcycle Units, a national brotherhood of Canadian Army, Air Force and Navy Veterans plus RCMP Officers who are motorcycle enthusiasts. We volunteered and earned Canadian Forces and RCMP qualifications. We served in communities, 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.
The C.A.V Constitution. lick to edit text. What do visitors to your website need to know about you and your business?