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.

Notice: Battle of Britain Service 2024

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The Battle of Britain was formally held from July 10th to October 31st, 1940.  According to Veterans Affairs Canada:

Many Canadians served in the squadrons of Spitfires and Hurricanes which repulsed the Luftwaffe in the summer of 1940. No. 1 Fighter Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), equipped with modern eight-gun fighters, became the first RCAF unit to engage enemy planes in battle when it met a formation of German bombers over southern England on August 26, 1940. It shot down three of them and damaged four others with the loss of one pilot and one plane. Its next meeting with the enemy was not as fortunate as it was attacked out of the sun by Messerschmitts and lost three planes. By mid-October the squadron had accounted for 31 enemy aircraft destroyed and probably 43 more destroyed or damaged. It lost 16 Hurricanes; thre pilots had been killed.

The Canadians flew with the Royal Air Force during that difficult period. No. 242 (Canadian) Squadron RAF, which had been formed in 1939 from some of the many Canadians who flew directly with the Royal Air Force, was now reinforced with Veterans from the French campaign and joined in the battle. On August 30, nine of its planes met a hundred enemy aircraft over Essex. Attacking from above, the squadron claimed 12 victories and escaped unscathed.

Canadians also shared in repulsing the Luftwaffe’s last major daylight attack. On September 27, 303 Squadron RAF and 1 Squadron RCAF attacked the first wave of enemy bombers. Seven, possibly eight enemy planes were destroyed, and another seven damaged. The Royal Canadian Air Force thus received its baptism of fire.

For several decades the Royal Canadian Air Force Association 900 Wing San Francisco (otherwise known as the “Golden Bear Wing”) hosted a Battle of Britain service at the Presidio Chapel in San Francisco.  In honour of the 100th anniversary of the RCAF, join Branch 25 (San Francisco) of the Royal Canadian Legion and Rana Sarkar (Consul General of Canada in San Francisco) for the 2024 Battle of Britain service.

Sunday, 15 September 2024 at 11am
Presidio Chapel – 130 Fisher Loop, San Francisco, CA 94129

If you are unable to attend the service in person, we will do our best to stream the service on the day of the event.  To register to watch the service online, please visit https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_S3GLUF7JQDWESFbZfVa5hw

Wave Your Flag With Us 🇺🇸

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

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Summer is winding down, schools are reopening, and many who graduated in June have set off to begin the next chapter of their lives. That includes thousands of young men and women who signed up to serve in the U.S. military.

 

September also brings us the anniversary and remembrance of 9-11. This year, we will once again have a special flag-waving ceremony to remember not only those lost that day but also to honor those who joined our military in the wake of that horrendous attack. Before the smoke cleared from the rubble, Americans united in prayer and resolve to protect our land and way of life, and young men and women volunteered to be in harm’s way. That American spirit alone is the cause of optimism for our country.

 

It is appropriate that from Ground Zero, they will read the names of those who died on that tragic day in the same way we say the names as we place wreaths on National Wreaths Across America Day. Through this, we teach our children about the cost of freedom.

 

I hope you will join us as we proudly and optimistically wave the American flag like we do each Tuesday morning in remembrance and celebration of our freedoms.

 

With gratitude,
Karen Worcester
Sponsor Wreaths

Live with Purpose: Optimism for America
Screenshot 2024-08-28 at 3.21.57 PM

In this month’s Live with Purpose video, we share our respect and appreciation for those who choose to serve our country and highlight their optimism for America. This video features Our Community Salutes, an organization that celebrates and supports high school seniors enlisting in the U.S. Armed Services after graduation with recognition, networking, education, and community support.
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Wave Your American Flag

Wave your American flags with us on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, between 9-10 am EST in remembrance of those lost on 9/11/01.

 

Share your pictures and videos on
social media using the hashtag #FlagsAcrosstheCountry.
2024 Flag Waving Day
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Wreaths Across America’s Educational Resources
Optimism in America

Did you know? Wreaths Across America’s TEACH Program publishes new content regularly!

 

Download our newest lesson plans focusing on Optimism in America.

 

You can also browse our full library of free curriculum for learners of all ages by clicking the button below.
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Want to share your Wreaths Across America story? Or maybe you have an event coming up?

Schedule an interview here.

Wreaths Across America Radio is everywhere you are! Listen live by clicking on the button below.
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Visit the Mobile Education Exhibit
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The Mobile Education Exhibit is heading to New York and Massachussets!

The Mobile Education Exhibit brings local communities and our military together across the country with education, stories, and interactive connections. Support this year-round initiative here.
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The famous iconic picture taken years ago is nicely displayed on both sides of the bag!
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In days of yore: How WW I rivals revived chivalry in war

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An item from the Legion Magazine.
Front Lines
Front Lines

Captain Gerald Gibbs (left) and his observer pose with the German aircrew (centre) Gibbs shot down, then treated to dinner. Two weeks later, one of the Germans sent him fan mail asking for his autograph.(BNPS)

In days of yore: How WW I rivals revived chivalry in war

STORY BY STEPHEN J. THORNE

There are few rivals in war who have shared the mutual regard and respect, even camaraderie, as those who flew aircraft during the First World War.

Theirs was a singular experience, the scale and intimacy of which were unique in the annals of conflict, even aviation, before or since. With it, a new chivalric tradition, vestiges of which persist to this day, was born.

Blazing trails in the skies in bare-bones, canvas-and-wood airplanes, they fought mano a mano, skill to skill, often just metres apart. And mostly without parachutes.

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O Canada 6-Volume Set
Military Milestones
Military Milestones

HMSC Oakville near Nova Scotia 1943.(Wikimedia)

Oakville’s Gamble: A Canadian Corvette vs. U-94

STORY BY ALEX BOWERS

Between 1942 and 1943, on behalf of the Canadian government, Hubert Rogers used his skills in comic book style writing and animating to create propaganda posters the eye-catching tagline such as, “Men of Valor: They Fight for You.”

Produced in both English and French while covering all three branches of the armed forces, one such poster highlighted the efforts of HMCS Oakville—particularly the heroics of seamen Hal Lawrence and Art Powell—in the attempted capture and eventual sinking of U-94 on Aug. 28, 1942.

On that fateful late summer day, the Flower-class Corvette had joined other Allied vessels, including HMCS Halifax and HMCS Snowberry, in escorting Canadian oil tankers through the Caribbean as part of convoy TAW-15.

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Email sent to: mkbarbour@gmail.com

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Dominion Convention 2024

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The 2024 Dominion Convention of the Royal Canadian Legion was held in Saint John, New Brunswick early this week.

The convention was opened following a parade by Legionnaires through the streets of downtown Saint John.

Below are some videos from the remembrance service and parade at the opening of the Royal Canadian Legion’s 2024 Dominion Convention in Saint John, New Brunswick.

Comrade Michael Barbour was on hand to represent Branch 25, along with Zone Commander Ron Davidson and Post 144 President Dann Oliver rounded out the representation from the International Zone.