Server Down at RMC

We experienced some serious computers “shut down” problems at the college last week, including a good part of the weekend. Consequently, some e-mails were lost.  We were expecting a few folks to contact in regards to a couple of projects we are working on for a future e-Veritas.  

If you sent us an article and did not receive a confirmation of receipt, please resend it ASAP.

Following is a reprint of a letter sent in October, to all members of the American Hockey Coaches Association by West Point hockey coach, Brian Riley, shortly after  1st Lt. Derek Hines, was killed while fighting in Afghanistan.  

Dear College Hockey community,  

I hope that this letter finds all of you well as the current hockey season approaches. I wanted to write this letter for a couple of reasons. As most of you are by now aware, one month ago, one of our former players, 1st Lt. Derek Hines, was killed while fighting in Afghanistan. I feel it is very important that the people in the college hockey community understand and know what type of person Derek was.

 1st Lt. Derek Hines

At 5-6 and 165 pounds, “Hinesy” was certainly not the biggest player when he stepped on the ice. But when the game started, he played as big as anybody out there. As a result of his hard-working attitude, he was a fan favorite here at Tate Rink. I know all college hockey fans would have loved to have Derek play for their team. You could not have asked for a better teammate than Derek.
 

His biggest concern when he played was always for his fellow teammates. Derek never put himself before the team, and as a result, was respected and held in the highest regard by everybody with which he played. I know that every college hockey player would have considered it an honor to be a teammate of Derek’s.  

As a coach, Hinesy was exactly the type of person that you want all of your players to be when they are in your program. More importantly, he was exactly the type of person you hope all of your players become when they leave your program.  

 As the upcoming season unfolds, I know that all of us are filled with much excitement about the year ahead. I am hopeful that when you have the chance to watch Army, Air Force, or Navy play this season, you will take a moment and reflect on how special these young men truly are. The fact of the matter is, these young men might someday be asked to pay the ultimate sacrifice, like Derek Hines, for his country. Young men like “Hinesy” and the players here at Army, as well as at Air Force and Navy, willingly serve and fight for our freedom. They do this so we can enjoy the lives we live here in the United States.

Please keep, not only these young men in your thoughts and prayers, but all of the service men and women around the world.  

On behalf of all of us here at West Point, I would personally like to thank all of those in the college hockey community who have stood by us during this difficult time. Although Derek Hines is no longer with us his legacy will live on here forever. I hope that all of your teams enjoy much success this season.  

Sincerely,  

Brian Riley, Head Coach Army Hockey

The hockey rivalry between Queen’s University and the Royal Military College of Canada dates back to their first documented meeting on the ice back in 1886.  It is always exciting and entertaining when these teams face one another on either side of the Causeway.   

The inaugural Carr-Harris Cup hockey game was held in 1987, and has since then alternated between the two schools on an annual basis.  The name, Carr-Harris Cup, is very significant as it celebrates the history of the Carr-Harris family in the Kingston area and specifically it’s involvement with both storied institutions.  This year’s game will be played on Tuesday, February 7^th at 1930hrs at Jock Harty Arena (Queen’s). 

The game promises to be very exciting as it will be the final game of the regular season for both teams, and playoff berths might rely on that final game.  The teams have played each other on three different occasions so far this year and the season series is all even.  Each team has a win, a loss and a tie coming into the much-anticipated game, where the winner will not only hoist the Carr-Harris Cup but also win the season series.  There will be a fan bus that will travel from RMC across the Causeway to be in attendance.  The loyalty shown by the RMC cadets and fans throughout the entire season have helped in the team’s success. 

Although RMC won last year’s Carr-Harris Cup by a score of 5-3, the Paladins currently trail the annual series 11-7-1.  This year’s edition of the Paladins is once again lead by IV year and team captain Patrick Mcdonald.  Patrick has great support from fellow IV year Tyler McTavish, who is playing in his fourth Carr-Harris Cup game.  

Blair Robertson 

The 2005-06 version of the college Red & White squad combines a balanced offensive attack - a number of players are in double digits in scoring; with a solid team defence which has been very impressive all season. RMC at press time is sporting a goals-against-average (GAA) of 3.00 led by the goalie, III year Blair Robertson. 

With the continued support from the Academic and Military Wings, along with that of the Athletic Department, attracting student-athletes to RMC has been facilitated and in recent years has helped produce more competitive varsity teams.  The improvement of the hockey program in particular has also made the concept of playing hockey for the Paladins while pursuing a career in the Canadian Forces more attractive. 

Fans attending the ’06 Carr / Harris game can expect to be well entertained.  Go RMC!

Donating your RRSP to the RMC Foundation

5244 Tony Downs (RMC’62)

5244 Tony Downs, class of ’62 Civil Engineering, wants to raise awareness of a “painless way” to donate to the RMC Foundation that in effect doubles your tax deduction. Tony has made the Foundation the beneficiary of one of his RRSPs, which was originally worth $6,000. Over the years the value of his investment has increased and the Foundation will benefit from the interest as well as the principal.

“I’d have a tough time coming up with $10,000 otherwise so it would be a good way for others to make a donation as well,” Tony explains. As well as getting the initial tax benefits of buying an RRSP, he will also get the full benefit of the tax deduction against the income to his estate for the donation of the investment to charity. “It’s a painless way of helping a good cause and one which I’d very much like to promote,” he adds.

Tony Downs has been an RMC Club member since 1970 and served as National Club President in 1993-94. He was also Foundation President from 1994-96 and has been a regular donor since the Foundation opened its doors in the 1980s, supporting the fencing team and donating to class of ’62 funds, as well as general Foundation activities. The class of ’62 has made a tradition of buying RMC Club ties for each class of graduating cadets.  
 

“Tony is a modest individual who has found a way to make a great difference by supporting projects that he cares about,” says Cindy Shelley, RMC Foundation Annual Giving Manager. “We are so grateful for his support and for the way he encourages others to do the same.” 

Tony adds that supporting the College is important to him because it’s a way of paying back an institution that has given him so much. “Budgets have been cut over the years and we had more amenities when I attended RMC,” Tony says. “So it’s very important to give back to build the margin of excellence and cadets can enjoy what we had.” 

Tony Downs spent 26 years as a Military Engineer and retired as Lieutenant Colonel in Ottawa. He then went to work for DND as a civilian for 19 years, retiring as Director General Environment in 2001. He and his wife Jane now live in Kingston. He spends his time volunteering as President of his Condominium Corporation and a non-profit housing corporation in Ottawa. He also enjoys his family cottage, where he is building a workshop.   

Tony has a message to current cadets and recent graduates who think they are not in a financial position to give to the College. He points out that you don’t have to have a lot of money to give and that donating a small amount every year is important to the Foundation.  

“If you can’t give a large amount, it’s still important to give small regular amounts. Think about what you got out of this place, think of it as a debt you owe and the Foundation is one way of paying it back.  He adds that RMC develops character as well as giving an excellent education. “You come out better for it and that’s the debt I’m talking about.”