Highlights from the CAFA Annual General Meeting 2025 on May 23-25

CAFA AGM 23-25 May 2025.  The Canadian Airborne Forces Association (CAFA) conducted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and associated events 23-25 May at the Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre at CFB Trenton.

The weekend kicked off with a Meet & Greet social event at the Earl of Bessborough all-ranks pub on Friday 23 May. The AGM meeting conducted on the morning of 24 May was very productive, including reports regarding a number of important issues including the highly successful Cyprus 2024 Commemoration pilgrimage event conducted in November, Roger Chabot’s recent Bravery in Arms (BIA) documentary “Path to Total Victory” in the Netherlands and CAFA plans to embark on an extensive Airborne Historical Project that is likely to include, in years to come, the conduct of Airborne-themed battlefield tours in Europe.

The Airborne History Project is destined to be CAFA’s “Next Big Thing” so watch this space for more details! Members acknowledged the recent passing of CAFA Directors Angelo Diliberti and Alain Saint-Yves, thanked four Directors who were stepping back after decades of loyal service on the Board -- namely Mike Houghton, Clay Samis, Jay Lapeyre and Mel Douglas, we elected Bruce Ewing to replace Rick Hatton as CAFA President effective 17 September 2025, elected Jim Holsworth as Vice President, elected four new Directors to serve on the CAFA Board of Directors (LCol Eric Richard, Capt Adam de Bartok, Tony DeJacolyn and Roger Chabot) and the President appointed Perry Metaxas to assume responsibility for the Airborne Forces Scholarship and Dan Clarke as CAFA rep to the National Council of Veterans Associations (NCVA). So CAFA continues in very good hands!

On Saturday evening AGM participants and spouses gathered for an enjoyable dinner at a local restaurant in Trenton and the weekend events concluded with a solemn Memorial Service on Sunday morning. The timing of the weekend allowed some members to attend the CAAWC Mess Dinner on Thursday 22 May and the memorial service for Sgt Joe Hillier (RIP) who was a long-time para instructor. The President Rick Hatton and CAFA Secretary Mike English were able to personally congratulate Cplc Caron, Para Coy 3 R22eR (who happened to be attending a course at the CAAWC) on being selected CAFA’s Airborne Soldier of the Year.