About the CAV
This Biography of the co-founders of the Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Organization (CAV) and subsequent Units will explain the birth of this great organization. It began with two military veteran motorcyclists 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 P.M. ’Trapper’ Cane and J.S.Y. ‘Doc’ Lebrun.P.M. ‘Trapper’ Cane 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, world wide…A lifetime motorcyclist he knew too well the fate that meet’s many military survivors, one moment in time he was serving in the Pathfinder Platoon, as a Sniper, Mountain Warfare Instructor and recently top candidate of the CF’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.
J.S.Y. ‘Doc’ Lebrun CD, was a third Generation soldier in his family and became a R 22eR ‘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 C.A.V, a WW2 dispatch rider [from a recruiting poster] and the name/acronym, ‘The C.A.V. 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 were 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 C.A.V. and at that point there were four extra crests…They laughingly said-‘In 10 years if its just the two of us, then so be it”. Immediately; however, veterans and still-serving riders alike began to come aboard-from Central Canada and to the East and West Coast’s –veterans and serving riders “Got It” and proudly saw their own identity!
In 6 short years the C.A.V. has grown to a national level riding group, gaining ‘Strength and Honour’ as each kilometer rolls by. The 46 units and thousands of riders, both Veterans and Supporters, riding with the CAV/VAC, have helped direct over 5 million dollars nationwide for community need's. 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 and Strength and Honour that their fellow C.A.V. 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
Note: Trapper was The CAV's First President and is still serving as the National President.
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 CrestWe 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.
J.S.Y. ‘Doc’ Lebrun CD, was a third Generation soldier in his family and became a R 22eR ‘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 C.A.V, a WW2 dispatch rider [from a recruiting poster] and the name/acronym, ‘The C.A.V. 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 were 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 C.A.V. and at that point there were four extra crests…They laughingly said-‘In 10 years if its just the two of us, then so be it”. Immediately; however, veterans and still-serving riders alike began to come aboard-from Central Canada and to the East and West Coast’s –veterans and serving riders “Got It” and proudly saw their own identity!
In 6 short years the C.A.V. has grown to a national level riding group, gaining ‘Strength and Honour’ as each kilometer rolls by. The 46 units and thousands of riders, both Veterans and Supporters, riding with the CAV/VAC, have helped direct over 5 million dollars nationwide for community need's. 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 and Strength and Honour that their fellow C.A.V. 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
Note: Trapper was The CAV's First President and is still serving as the National President.
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 CrestWe 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.