Monthly Archives: June 2025

Bonne Fête nationale du Québec ! ⚜️

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A newsletter from a fellow Canadian organization in the Bay Area.

Bonne Saint-Jean à tous !
From all of us at the Canadian Studies Program at UC Berkeley: happy Saint-Jean Day to our friends from Quebec!

Held every June 24, the Fête nationale, also called la Saint-Jean, is the official holiday of Quebec. Dating back to 1834, it is a day for québécois(es) of all backgrounds to honor their shared heritage and celebrate their unique cultural identity.

This year, Canadian Studies is proud to support Hildebrand Fellow Erin Dunbar, whose research explores how 19th-century rural novels (romans du terroir) shaped popular understandings of language and identity in Quebec. The Fellowship has enabled her to spend this month conducting archival research in Montreal and Quebec City. Her research will help expand our understanding of early Québécois literature and its place in a global context. We are also supporting Jennifer Kaplan, who is researching how LGBTQ+ communities in Montreal are adapting French grammar to accommodate diverse gender expressions.

Click here for info on this year’s festivities (in French). Bonne Fête à tous !

Canadian Studies Program

213 Philosophy Hall #2308

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Canadian Studies Program | Univ. of California, Berkeley 213 Philosophy Hall #2308 | Berkeley, CA 94720 US

Don’t miss these exciting updates: Fundraising success, community support, and more!

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A newsletter from Support Our Troops that may be of interest to some members.

Creating Lifelong Memories: Summer Camps Program
The Support Our Troops Summer Camps Program provides children from military families with unforgettable experiences and lifelong memories. You can play a vital role in making this incredible program a success!
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Register NOW for the 2025 Canada Army Run!

When you register for Canada Army Run and start fundraising, you will make a positive impact in the lives of Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans and their families! Since its inception in 2008, over $5 million has been raised through Canada Army Run for Support Our Troops and Soldier On. To register for the in-person OR virtual run, and start your fundraising journey, please use the discount code SOTcares for a 10% discount.
Register here
Did You Know?
On June 1st we celebrated Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Day. Every day we work to honour the valiant members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans, and their families. You can support our military members and their families in ensuring they have access to the financial resources they need when they need them the most.
Donate

Gratitude in Action: ONroute Raises over $169,000 to support military families in Ontario
This past March, Support Our Troops was thrilled to join our partners at ONroute to celebrate 5 years of their incredible giving campaign.
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Senators Honored Military Families at the 21st Annual Armed Forces Appreciation Game

From the national anthem performed by Sergeant David Grenon of the RCAF band, to our newest members of the Canadian Armed Forces being sworn in by Chief of the Defence Staff, General Jennie Carignan, the arena was vibrating with patriotism for our Canadian military.
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 CANEX Staff Shine Bright for Support Our Troops during December and June campaigns!

During the two month long winter campaign, our members contributed an astonishing $29,774.58 by donating in-store, online or by shopping Support Our Troops and Soldier On merchandise. As promised, CANEX matched this donation up to $15,000, making the grand total $44,774.58!
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Support Our Troops | 4210 Rue Labelle St | Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2 CA

Canada to meet defence spending target by March 2026: Carney

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An item from the Legion Magazine.
Front Lines
Front Lines

Canadian combat engineers serving with NATO forces take a break near the village of Leyvani, Afghanistan, on July 5, 2004. Canadians had been told the area was a Taliban hotbed, but finding them was proving difficult.
[Stephen J. Thorne]

Canada to meet defence spending target by March 2026: Carney

STORY BY STEPHEN J. THORNE

Declaring American dominance on the world stage at an end, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Canada will meet NATO’s two per cent-of-GDP military spending target by March 2026—six years earlier than originally planned.

It will be the first time Canada’s defence spending has hit the two per cent mark since 1990. Now NATO says it wants five per cent.

Addressing a conference of foreign policy wonks, national security officials and defence industry leaders June 9 in Toronto, Carney outlined his plan to reduce Canada’s reliance on the United States and draw closer to its European allies.

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The Briefing
The Briefing

A series of tiny scale models titled “Little Canada Beyond Our Borders,” featured iconic Canadian landmarks. The first of which is a replica of The Canadian National Vimy Memorial. [Little Canada]

Toronto’s Little Canada unveils Dutch liberation miniature

STORY BY ALEX BOWERS

Jean-Louis Brenninkmeijer was “only supposed to come to Canada for two years.”

It’s now been 26, explains the proud Canadian.

Originally from the Netherlands, one of his fondest childhood memories is being enamoured by Madurodam in The Hague, a miniature park and tourist attraction hosting tiny scale models of Dutch landmarks. Such was its profound impact on Brenninkmeijer, who spent some 10 years in the retail and investment business, that he ultimately replicated its micro magic in Toronto, founding Little Canada.

The displays within aren’t called miniatures, but “destinations,” seven of which depict iconic Canadian landmarks. A recent series called “Little Canada Beyond Our Borders,” however, does what its name suggests and highlights “where our nation played a significant role in the world.” First in the series was a tribute to Vimy Ridge. Now, in recognition of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands, Brenninkmeijer has embarked on a journey to mark that occasion.

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Member Benefit Partner
Safestep
Email sent to: mkbarbour@gmail.com

Canvet Publications Ltd.
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You Make an Impact!

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An item from the Wreaths Across America organization that may be of interest to members.

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Hello Michael Barbour,

 

Believe it or not, we are already halfway through the year and planning for National Wreaths Across America Day 2025 is well underway! We have continued to grow, and this year, we’ll surpass the 5,000 participating locations milestone. This mean more opportunities to get involved and support the mission.

 

This is also an opportunity for us to improve communication and support for your efforts. Returning and new Honor Fleet members alike should expect to complete and onboarding process with the WAA team this year! Onboarding will include a webinar and access to professional driver resources ahead of load pick-up. Keep an eye out as we start to schedule onboarding!

 

Should you need anything, the WAA Transportation Team is always here – don’t hesitate to reach out! Thank you for your continued support, flexibility and passion for the mission.

 

With gratitude,
WAA Transportation Team
 

Your Impact

Because of you, the mission moves forward.  Hauling what is referred to as “a truckload of respect,” members of the Honor Fleet transports millions of sponsored veterans’ wreaths to locations all across the country. On National Wreaths Across America Day, these wreaths are laid on veterans’ graves.
young girl wreath

When placing the wreath, volunteers say the name of the service member out loud, remembering and honoring their sacrifice.These wreaths could not reach their location to be placed without you!
 

Professional Driver Quick Facts

We’re looking forward to a successful season! Here are some quick facts for professional drivers and carriers to keep in mind:

 

  • In most cases, unless otherwise stated, all professional drivers participating should expect a multi-stop load when delivering veterans’ wreaths for WAA; on average, 8-12 stops.
  • Because sponsorships continue to come in right up to the last minute, final wreath counts are not available until the professional driver arrives for loading.
  • Load drops can be delivered on the route that best suits the professional driver!
  •  Don’t be surprised if volunteers at the location are full of gratitude and want to make a connection with you; YOU are valued by the local community!
 
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We Need Your Help!

We are reaching out to our transportation partners to ensure we have your updated information for 2025 including your trailer types, contact information, etc.

Not receiving our emails? Please contact your IT team to white label our email, trucking@wreathsacrossamerica.org, or check your spam folder.
 

Trucking Tuesdays

Listen to Trucking Tributes every Tuesday on Wreaths Across America Radio. If you have a story you’d like to share, click on the button below to schedule an interview.
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Stay in the Know

The Moving the Mission Facebook Group is a space for supporters of Wreaths Across America working in the transportation industry to connect with and learn from one another. Members will share their stories of support, learn more about Wreaths Across America, including volunteer opportunities, and network with other industry professionals.
 
Wreaths Across America, PO Box 249, Columbia Falls, ME 04623, United States, 877-385-9504