INTRODUCING VETERAN RICK MORSE

Comrade Rick Morse is now a member of the Coldwater Branch and part of the Executive Committee

In 1977 Comrade Rick looked over the smoggy Hamilton industrial landscape. This was not for him! His father was a Korean War Veteran. Hence, Comrade Rick’s decision to join the military was not a foreign concept. Comrade Rick fondly recalls his first eleven weeks of basic training at the Canadian Forces Recruit School in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, the first of many challenges to impact his life. After basic training, he worked as an Administration Clerk where he was responsible for the administration of military personnel. This job allowed Comrade Rick to be of service in the Army, Navy or Air Force.

His forty-year career with the military included many jobs, many postings and opportunities to learn and develop new skills.

Comrade Rick recalls the following with pride and fondness:

*A couple of tours in the Training Systems (Cornwallis and Borden);

*First posting was for three years Cold Lake, Alberta;

*Served with 4-Combat Engineer Regiment in Lahr West Germany- Comrade Rick took the opportunity to

work alongside the Engineers laying mine fields as well as setting up and detonating explosive charges;

*While with 4 CER Comrade Rick had the humbling opportunity to participate in two extremely important

historical events, the Canadian Liberation March through Belgium. The route of this march is 33 km in length and takes the same path as the Canadian Army did while liberating Belgium in 1944, and the 40th Anniversary Ceremonies of the Dieppe Raid in both England and Dieppe, France in August 1982;

*After his posting to Lahr, he spent 2 years as Chief Clerk of 2 Commando, Canadian Airborne

Regiment, and while serving with the Regiment, he participated in a 6-month United Nations Tour in Cyprus;

*Returning from Cyprus, he transferred to North Bay for 3 years;

*From North Bay he transferred to Cornwallis and pursued a job as a Basic Training Recruit Instructor for

4 years;

*8 years at Canadian Forces Base, Trenton where he held a variety of positions: Warrant Officer in charge of the Wing Orderly Room; Chief Clerk of the Canadian Parachute Centre;

*While serving at Trenton, participated in a 6-month tour at Canadian Forces Station Alert, Nunavut;

*Participated in a year-long French language training programme in Trenton;

*Posted to 32 Brigade Headquarters in Toronto for 3 years;

*Add here Comrade Rick’s second tour of training with the Canadian Forces School of

Administration and Logistics at Canadian Forces Base, Borden, where he was the Sergeant Major of the

training cadre for the Resource Management Support (RMS) occupation;

*After Borden, a return to Toronto as the 4th Canadian Division Superintendent Clerk.

After thirty-two years in the Regular Force, our Veteran did a component transfer to the Primary Reserve to the position of Administration Officer with 700 Communication Squadron for one year. Then he was offered a position with the 3rd Canadian Ranger Patrol Group in Borden. There he participated in multiple jobs: Unit Information Officer, Officer Commanding Support Company and he had the opportunity to work, for 6 years, in isolated and remote regions in Northern Ontario with First-Nation communities.

His last position in the Canadian Forces was as the Platoon Commander for the Integrated Personnel Support Centre and he was responsible to assist releasing members of the Canadian Armed Forces with transition to civilian life. Chief Warrant Officer Morse is proud of his military career and said, “I want to note a lot of good people helped me get where I ended up.” Comrade Rick is the recipient of the United Nations Medal (Cyprus), Special Service Medal (NATO Bar – Germany), the Alert Bar, (Nunavut); CD Canadian Forces Decoration with two bars and the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal.

Now pursuing a civilian life and career, Comrade Rick draws on his past 40 years of military service and works with releasing Canadian Armed Forces members who may need vocational rehabilitation training for civilian life.

Comrade Rick encourages our members to attend the monthly Branch General Meetings and is proud of our support to the community and surrounding area. In closing our Veteran said, “Joining the Legion keeps me connected with Veterans and the military community and this is a good thing.”