A sea cadet at RCSCC LION from 1963 to 1968, I joined the Naval Reserve at HMCS STAR in 1968 as a Bos'n. I was an Officer Cadet in the ROUTP, commissioned in 1971, and awarded my watchkeeping ticket in 1973. I served at sea, at one time or another, in all five Gate Vessels and HMCS FORT STEELE & CHAUDIERE as well as the Coast Guard icebreaker Louis St. Laurent and served as OIC of the patrol vessels RALLY and RAPID. At STAR from 1968 to 2007, I served as XO twice and then as CO from 2002 to 2005. I rounded out my career by serving as SSO Training at NAVRESHQ in Quebec City in 2008, retiring in 2009 as CO of HMCS HUNTER in Windsor. I was Executive Director for the Friends of HMCS HAIDA till 2011 and have been an active volunteer onboard HAIDA since she arrived in Hamilton in 2003.
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Veterans’ Day in the United States is celebrated on 11 November, our Remembrance Day.
The Milton J. Brounshidle Post 205 of the American Legion is holding a flag decoration ceremony this year at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 1990 Main Street in Buffalo to decorate the graves of sixteen Canadian and one British soldier who are buried there. We are invited to meet by 10:00 on 11 November at the Legion Post at 3354 Delaware Avenue in Kenmore to carpool to the cemetery and then return to the Post afterwards for a reception.
The Post Adjutant, Wayne Sorrentino, who is a regular participant at the HAMILTON & SCOURGE Memorials in Stoney Creek each year, would like to know how many are coming so that arrangements can be made (wayne.sorrentino868@gmail.com).
Cdr (Ret’d) Wayne Sorrentino with LCdr Mike DiBerardo at the 2025 Trafalgar / NIOBE Day dinner in Hamilton on 17 October.
The gun room of HMS Psyche Canadian Maritime Heritage Society invite naval enthusiasts to our commemorative dinner for the Battle of Trafalgar (October 21st, 1805) and the immortal memory of Lord Nelson.
HMS Pickle was the first vessel to bring Vice-Admiral Collingwood’s dispatches to England’s Admiralty Board, of the great victory and the death of Nelson. HMS Pickle landed in Portsmouth with the news on November 4th, 1805.
The formal dinner consists of: * 6:30 pm Cocktails of Crispy Pickles and bites as hors d’oeuvre * 7:15 pm Dinner with toasts * Butternut Squash Bisque
* Fresh ship’s biscuits (no bargemen included) and no maggoty butter * Roast Cornish Game Hen, Celeriac and Yukon Gold Potato Purée, Roast Broccolini, Bing Cherry Jus
or Berbere Roasted Cauliflower with a Lentil Chickpea and Tomato Stew * Spotted Dick Steamed Pudding, served family style with Crème Anglaise and Fresh Berries * Coffee and Tea service
Dress code: Active and retired armed forces personnel (dress uniform or regimental mess kit), military re-enactors in uniform, wearing of appropriate military decorations, Georgian civilian or modern civilian business attire.
Cost: $87 per person, including tax and tip. Payment is to be e-transferred to Gurth.Pretty.4pc@gmail.com by Thursday, October 30th. In a separate e-mail to Gurth, state your choice of main course and of any food allergies.
Cash bar, payable by credit or debit card at the dinner.
A silent auction will occur again, to pay for repairs and maintenance of the Psyche longboat. Payable by e-transfer.
Location: Port Credit Yacht Club, 115 Lakefront Promenade, Mississauga, ON L5E 3G6
“Si vis pacem, para bellum”
Royal Navy motto (If you wish for peace, prepare for war)
