In the fall of 2000 a group of ex-United Nations Peacekeepers in and around Winnipeg decided to form a Chapter of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping here in Winnipeg. Initiated by Ivan Poitras and assisted by Norm Van Tassel, Dennis Henderson and Gord Criggar, who formed the first Executive, and supported by 22 others the basis for the Chapter was laid out. After many meetings, on the 6th of December 2000, the Manitoba Chapter was born.

LGen (ret) RR Crabbe was approched to use his name for the Chapter. He graciously accepted and the Winnipeg Chapter became known as the "LGen RR Crabbe Chapter".

The LGen RR Crabbe Chapter holds meetings on the 1st Saturday of each month at the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans Unit 283, 3584 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba. We meet for breakfast at 0900 and have our meeting at 1000. If you are a Peacekeeper and would like to find out more about us, please drop by or use the CONTACT US page.

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PEACEKEEPING

Basic Overview

Peacekeeping may involve the employment of military personnel from several countries to maintain or restore international peace. Peacekeeping missions have usually been formed to monitor cease-fires, observe troop withdrawals and provide a buffer between opposing forces.

Unarmed peacekeepers may be employed on observer missions, where their job is to observe and report. When they act as buffers between opponents who had fought and might fight again, they may carry light weapons for self-defence. Some peacekeeping missions may help to restore order. Some may involve operations which seem very much like conventional war.

Peacekeeping operations are meant to be temporary measures. They are not expected to resolve a conflict.

The first mission began in 1947 with the United Nations Temporary Commission on Korea. The purpose was to supervise the withdrawal of occupation forces. Canada contributed two officers as military observers.

The first Peacekeeping Force was created in 1956 in response to the Suez Crisis. Lester Pearson, who later became our Prime Minister, proposed a solution - a UN emergency force to separate the fighters and to supervise a cease fire.

Since that time Canada has taken an important role in peacekeeping. Canadians have served in places such as, the Gaza Strip, Sierra Leone, The Congo, Kashmir, West New Guinea, Cyprus, the Golan Heights, Lebanon, East Timor, Iraq, Iran, Central America, Cambodia and in the former Yugoslavia.

When Canada first started to contribute to peacekeeping only military personnel participated. In more recent years, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, officials from Elections Canada and External Affairs have worn the UN blue beret.

More than 100,000 Canadians have participated in United Nations Peacekeeping duties. That is more than any other country. There are about 2,500 Canadians currently serving in operations.

Peacekeepers have helped to make the world a better place. The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognized the good work they had been doing and awarded them the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988.

Canada made a decision to honour its peacekeepers, past, present and future, by dedicating a monument to their good work. The monument was unveiled in Ottawa in October 1992.

It consists of three 10 foot high bronze figures representing a radio operator, an observer, and a sentry. To the side, there is a grove of twelve trees that represent the heroes from the ten provinces and two territories who have served as peacekeepers. The grove is a symbol of hope for the future and rebirth.

There is an inscription from a speech made by Lester Pearson in November 1956. It reads:

"We need action not only to end the fighting but to make the peace. My own government would be glad to recommend Canadian participation in such a United Nations force, a truly international peace and police force."

On August 9th, 1974 while on a regular supply run, the 461 Aircraft was descending into Damascus en route to a United Nations base on the Golan Heights when it came under attack from three, surface to air, missiles. On board that aircraft were five crew members and four passengers, the largest number of Canadian Peacekeepers that were killed at one time. Manitoba recently recognized the work of Peacekeepers and has proclaimed August 9 as Peacekeeping Day. This day will be celebrated every year on the Sunday closest to the 9th of August.