50 Years since Prep Camp, for the CMR Entry Class of 1970, arrives in August 2020. No matter how long you were at CMR St-Jean (with attendance or not at Kingston or Royal Roads), 2020 is the year our Class enters the Old Brigade, although we will be celebrating this event in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our Class has created a fund, Fonds du CMR Saint-Jean 1970-1975 Fund, to give something back to the College where we started our adult lives.
You may be aware that based on a considerable amount of work by the military and academic staffs of the College, CMR is returning to a degree granting institution. The first class to graduate will do so in May, 2021. This will once again permit students to complete their university education completely at CMR in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
There is going to be a new cadets’ mess renovation, using the Saint-Maurice Chapel building. Saint Maurice was the leader of the legendary Roman Thebann Legion in the 3rd century, and one of the most venerated and widely respected saints in Catholicism. Maurice is the patron saint of soldiers, swordsmiths, armies, and infantrymen. In the old Chapel there is a “priceless” stained glass mural that must be preserved and moved to the front of the building over the entry way. (The CMR stained-glass mural is mentioned in the English version of Wikipedia).
It is intended that the preservation and move of the stained glass as part of the new cadet’s mess renovation be OUR Class contribution to the College as we enter the Old Brigade. Architects are currently drawing up plans and costing the renovation. The renovation may not be completed for a couple of years as the final plans have been delayed with the COVID-19 response; however, the process is on going.
We need all members of the CMR Entry Class of 1970 to contribute. Any extra funds will be used to purchase additional military or historical art work for the new cadets’ mess. We will have an appropriate plaque made which will indicate the origins and history of the stained glass and that the donations of the CMR Entry Class of 1970 and our RRMC 1975 graduates were raised to preserve and move this precious piece of CMR history.
Many of your classmates have already donated, giving our fund, at the end of December 2019, a sum of approximately $42,000. Our target is to reach over $50,000 and we need the help of all of our class members – from Entry to Graduation. A big thank you to all classmates who have donated.
You can make your tax-deductible donation through the RMC Foundation in 2020 and again in 2021. We know that it is a tough ask in a year when COVID-19 has turned the world upside down … everyone will do what they can.
You can make your donation now by clicking here.
If you need further information contact Chris Cottle or Daniel Redburn
Take care and remember to keep our big Reunion Week open for a trip back to CMR in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu in August 2021.
VDV / TDV
From your Committee of Danny, Denis, Michel, Jerry, Chas and Chris