Author Archives: Michael K. Barbour

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About Michael K. Barbour

Michael K. Barbour is the Director of Faculty Development and a Professor of Instructional Design for the College of Education and Health Sciences at Touro University California. He has been involved with K-12 online learning in a variety of countries for well over a decade as a researcher, teacher, course designer and administrator. Michael's research focuses on the effective design, delivery and support of K-12 online learning, particularly for students located in rural jurisdictions.

San Francisco Fleet Week 2025

San Francisco Fleet Week is California’s largest annual civic event—a city-wide celebration that honors the sea services and the men and women who serve in uniform. Since 1981, San Francisco Fleet Week has united military and civilian communities through an unforgettable series of public events, including ship tours, community concerts, public safety and military response exhibits, STEM education activations, and our world-famous San Francisco Fleet Week Air Show presented by United, held over San Francisco Bay.

Traditionally, San Francisco Fleet Week is anchored by two signature events: the San Francisco Fleet Week Air Show presented by United, and Fleet Fest at Pier 30/32. The San Francisco Fleet Week Air Show presented by United—held at Marina Green Park and headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels—is the only air show in the United States to feature a fully choreographed commercial airline performance: the United Airlines Boeing 777. Fleet Fest, located on Piers 30/32 directly in front of the largest visiting U.S. Navy ship, is one of the week’s most vibrant public destinations. It features live music, local food vendors, and a variety of entertainment for all ages. The event also offers public ship tours and interactive exhibits focused on military readiness, STEM education, and community-based emergency response. Exhibitors include first responder agencies and non-governmental organizations that showcase new technologies, offer recruitment opportunities, and demonstrate local preparedness and disaster response capabilities.

Together, these two hallmark experiences form the heart of San Francisco Fleet Week, unfolding along the city’s iconic waterfront.

However, the 2025 historic edition of San Francisco Fleet Week featured:

ABC 7 News – Canadian HMCS Nanaimo, Snowbirds arrive for SF Fleet Week: ‘Glad to be there for our partners’
Original news item available at https://abc7news.com/amp/post/san-francisco-fleet-week-2025-canadian-navys-hmcs-nanaimo-arrives-bay-area/17980682/

San Francisco Fleet Week 2025 Canadian Reception

Earlier this evening, Comrades Michael and Lisa Barbour represented Branch 25 at the 2025 San Francisco Fleet Week Canadian Reception.  His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Nanaimo is a Kingston class maritime coastal defence vessels that has served in the Canadian Forces and Royal Canadian Navy since 1996.

The Kingston class ships “were designed to commercial standards and intended to conduct coastal patrols, minesweeping, law enforcement, pollution surveillance and response as well as search and rescue duties. The ships were fitted with modular payloads to carry out the assigned duties. Allocated to the west coast, HMCS Nanaimo left Halifax on November 12, 1996, arriving in Esquimalt on December 19.”

HMCS Nanaimo departed Esquimalt for the final time, stopping in for San Francisco Fleet Week, on her way to Halifax. After nearly 30 years in service, it begins its final chapter on the East Coast, closing a remarkable era for the West Coast Kingston class fleet. To read more about the Nanaimo, click here.

Below are some pictures of the Nanaimo and from the reception.

The seizing of Europe’s bells

An item from the Legion Magazine.


Front Lines
Front Lines

Bell cemetery in Hamburg after the Second World War. [Bundesarchive]

The seizing of Europe’s bells

STORY BY STEPHEN J. THORNE

The bells that rang out across allied nations after the First World War ended what for many had been a four-year silence enforced by regulation in some places and imposed by confiscation in others.

In Germany and across Europe, tens of thousands of bronze bells—some imparting “the songs of the angels” since the 12th century—had been seized and melted down for arms and munitions.

During the First World War, 44 per cent of the bells in Germany alone were lost, many given willingly to support the war effort—and some not so willingly.

In the parish of Kusel in southwestern Germany, Deacon Karl Munzinger had grudgingly resigned himself to the inevitable after resisting a decree ordering the surrender of bells to be melted down and converted to guns and shells.

 

READ MORE

Beaver Mug – Yes, I am From Canada
The Briefing
The Briefing

Whitey’s Journey by Kelsey Lonie is a new children’s book about a WW II canine mascot published by Heritage House Publishing. [Courtesy Heritage House Publishing]

Children’s book published on Canadian WW II dog mascot

STORY BY ALEX BOWERS

“Sometimes, a story reaches out and just won’t let go,” suggested Kelsey Lonie, a Canadian military historian and educator-turned-children’s book author. That story, first told to her by Gord Crossley, The Fort Garry Horse Museum and Archives curator, instantly resonated with the Regina resident.

“I told [Crossley] how much I love the intersection of animals and the Second World War,” continued Lonie, “and he obviously highlighted the ties between [renowned children’s book character] Winnie the Pooh and Winnipeg [during the First World War]. He then mentioned that The Fort Garry Horse regiment had a dog during World War Two. His name was Whitey, and he was a collie.”

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Member Benefit Partner

Home Equity Bank

Canadian homeowners aged 55+ can access up to 55% of their home’s value without having to sell. As a proud partner of the Royal Canadian Legion, HomeEquity Bank offers Legion members $500 cash back* upon funding their CHIP Reverse Mortgage.

2025 Veterans’ Week learning materials and other resources for Remembrance Day // Ressources d’apprentissage de la Semaine des vétérans 2025 et autres ressources

If any of our members are teachers or have them in their family, this item from Veterans Affairs Canada may be of interest to you.