from RMC Alumni Association Website

Chilliwack Homecoming and Reunions 17-19 July 2026
It has been almost a generation since CFB Chilliwack was closed and its main units moved to other bases – the School of Military Engineering to CFB Gagetown, the Officer Candidate School to St-Jean, and 1 CER and 3 PPCLI to Edmonton. The Engineers had been there since 1942 and CFOCS since 1967.  Nonetheless, there are thousands of ex-cadets from all services and classifications whose lives and careers were shaped by their time in Chilliwack.
At the corner of Vedder and Keith Wilson Roads in Chilliwack, there is a small park and cenotaph that has, over the years, become a focus in the local community for reflection and remembrance. When the military left, the City of Chilliwack generously took over the care and maintenance of the site and it has become a local attraction.

The year 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of the dedication of All Sappers Park & Memorial, which, aside from a small contingent of the reserve force, is the only remnant of the military in the area. To help remember our shared experiences in Chilliwack, the Canadian Military Engineers Association and others are planning a rededication of the site and an open homecoming reunion on the weekend of 17 – 19 July next year. The event is not restricted to Military Engineers, and anyone who has trained or served there at any time is encouraged to join us. As the original project to build the memorial was named Operation GRANITE in reference to the local material used to build the Cenotaph, this event is named Operation GRANITE II.

If you are interested in learning more about the history of the Memorial and Operation GRANITE II, go to A Brief History of the All Sappers Memorial in Chilliwack BC and the Operation GRANITE II site, or contact the Op GRANITE II PMO at Op_Granite_II@cmea-agmc.ca.

All Sapper’s Cenotaph was unveiled on 14 July 1946 by the Governor-General of Canada, Viscount Alexander of Tunis. Looking on are Lt-Col Mitchell, VC, MC, Camp Commandant and designer of the park;  General Charles Foulkes, CDS; and Maj-Gen Bert Hoffmeister, GOC Pacific Area.

Le cénotaphe des sapeurs a été inauguré le 14 juillet 1946 par le gouverneur général du Canada, le vicomte Alexandre de Tunis. On y voit le lieutenant-colonel Mitchell, VC, MC, commandant du camp militaire et concepteur du parc ; le général Charles Foulkes, CÉMD ; et le major-général Bert Hoffmeister, commandant général de la zone Pacifique.

Retrouvailles et réunion à Chilliwack
Près d’une génération s’est écoulée depuis la fermeture de la BFC Chilliwack et le déménagement de ses principales unités vers d’autres bases : l’École du génie militaire à la BFC Gagetown, l’École des officiers candidats à Saint-Jean, et le 1er RGC et le 3 PPCLI à Edmonton. Le Génie étaient présents depuis 1942 et l’École des officiers des Forces canadiennes depuis 1967. Néanmoins, des milliers d’anciens élèves-officiers de tous les services et de toutes les classifications ont façonné leur vie et leur carrière à Chilliwack.

À l’angle des chemins Vedder et Keith Wilson, à Chilliwack, se trouvent un petit parc et un cénotaphe qui, au fil des ans, sont devenus un lieu de recueillement et de commémoration dans la communauté locale. Après le départ des militaires, la Ville de Chilliwack a généreusement pris en charge l’entretien du site, qui est devenu une attraction locale.

L’année 2026 marque le 80e anniversaire de l’inauguration du parc et mémorial des sapeurs. Hormis un petit contingent de la Force de réserve, il s’agit du seul vestige de l’armée dans la région. Afin de commémorer nos expériences communes à Chilliwack, l’Association du Génie militaire canadien et d’autres organisations prévoient une nouvelle inauguration du site et une réunion de retrouvailles ouverte à tous, le week-end du 17 au 19 juillet prochain. Cet événement n’est pas réservé aux ingénieurs militaires, et toute personne ayant été entraînée ou ayant servi à cet endroit est encouragée à se joindre à nous. Le projet initial de construction du mémorial ayant été baptisé Opération GRANITE en référence aux matériaux locaux utilisés pour la construction du cénotaphe, cet événement s’intitule Opération GRANITE II.

Pour en savoir plus sur l’histoire du mémorial et de l’opération GRANITE II, consultez la page « Bref historique du mémorial des sapeurs à Chilliwack, en Colombie-Britannique, et du site de l’opération GRANITE II », ou contactez le bureau de gestion de projet de l’opération GRANITE II à l’adresse Op_Granite_II@cmea-agmc.ca

Op GRANITE II September 2025 Update

Over the past few weeks, much progress has been made. We have filled most our planning committee positions - project manager, secretary, treasurer, communications manager, history and heritage advisor, government relations manager, and ticket sales manager. All we need now is an accommodations manager, events manager and transportation manager.

Speaking of accommodations, and although not finalized, we will soon be in a position to offer accommodation options to travellers. To start, we have 40 RV spots at the Heritage Park. The sites only have 30- and 40-amp electrical hook-ups. There is no sewer of water, but the sani-dump is less than 200 meters away. We are entering into an agreement with the RCMP on the old Chilliwack base to offer student accommodation to guests with active security clearances and their partner or spouse. We may even offer tented accommodation for those wanting to relive the old days - but without the emersion heaters and port-a-potties! And of course, many of you will have friends and relatives in the area who may be able to share some accommodation. We are doing our best to secure discounts for commercial lodging.  Our advice for now is to book fully refundable lodging until we have completed our search.

For the Meet & Greet, we are inviting as many food trucks as can make it to the Heritage Park. Weather depending, we will hold much of that gathering outside with that very familiar smell of Chilliwack's agricultural industries wafting through the evening air. We will have a sit-down dinner on Saturday. We are tossing around the ideas of how to feed one-thousand people as efficiently as possible. We will make it as pretty as we can, but no promises except that the food will be good. 

We have also started planning additional events.  For example, there will be an informal reunion of Combat Divers at the Jolly Miller Pub on Thursday, 16 July.  All are welcome and other groups are encouraged to organize similar events. On Saturday, we hope to have a short Volksmarch in and around the old Rafting & Watermanship area. It has been converted into a Great Blue Heron Reserve and is well worth the visit. Efforts are also being made to offer a self-guided tour of the developments in Garrison Crossing, the old PMQ area. Sturgeon fishing has also been suggested. That is a once-in-a-life time opportunity, not to be missed. On Sunday, after the morning service at the Cenotaph, a Farewell Brunch will be served either at the Vedder Legion or the Heritage Park. There will be a remembrance gathering at the old Cultus Lake rafting area for early-rising Combat Divers before the Cenotaph Rededication Service. Since many guests will have travelled a long way to attend, we need more ideas for activities to make the trip worthwhile.

Ticket sales will start in early November. You will be able to pick and choose the events you want to attend, and we will offer meal options for Dinner. Payments can be made in part or in full. Details will follow.

To contact the planning team, click here.

Operation GRANITE II: Chilliwack BC 17-19 July 2026

The motto of the Canadian Military Engineers is UBIQUE (translation: “in all places”). This monument reflects the ubiquitous character of Military Engineers - both in their work and in their embracing of all sectors of Canadian society.

Operation GRANITE II is a joint undertaking of the Chilliwack–Vedder Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, the Canadian Military Engineers Association, and the Retired Sappers Association. The Canadian Military Engineers of the Canadian Armed Forces endorse this celebration and rededication.

Representatives from the Regular and Reserve Force units of the Canadian Forces and Cadets will be invited to share this heritage.
Canadian Forces Base Chilliwack was the Home of the Canadian Military Engineers from 1942 to 1998. The events surrounding the rededication will provide an opportunity for the reunion of members of the Canadian Military Engineer Family and their friends who share a common bond through their connection with Chilliwack. The local Royal Canadian Legion Branch will open a 40-year time capsule. We are expecting over 1,000 former military engineers, their families, and friends from across the country to attend the ceremony and to celebrate a homecoming.

The re-dedication of the Cenotaph will honour the sacrifices of Canadian Military Engineers in war and peace. Special emphasis will be placed on remembering those who were not included in the initial 1946 inscriptions: the fallen of the Korean War, the Afghanistan War, and those who served during our peace-keeping operations. Groups such as youth, Indigenous peoples, and adjacent communities of the Lower Fraser Valley will be invited to participate. Special efforts will provide a valuable learning opportunity about Canada’s military history and heritage, both in times of war and in times of peace.

Visit HERE [https://heyzine.com/flip-book/cbe140701a.html] for a short FlipBook presentation of the very interesting story of All Sappers Memorial.

NEWS ITEM 4 MAY 2025:
CME BRANCH COUNCIL ENDORSES OPERATION GRANITE II AS A CME ACTIVITY

• Registration and a Meet & Greet on Friday
• A Rededication and a Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph on Saturday, followed by a Gala Dinner
• Optional church and group memorial services on Sunday morning, concluding with a farewell brunch
• Historical displays, kit sales, and a videographer capturing personal interviews and stories throughout the event

 

 

The CMEA is promoting the work of the Retired Sappers Association and the Royal Canadian Legion in Chilliwack to recognize the 80th Anniversary and Rededication of All Sappers Park and Cenotaph in Chilliwack, BC on the weekend of 17-19 July 2026. 

All Sappers Park is the principal Canadian Military Engineers memorial and is central to the history and heritage of the Canadian Military Engineers. The Retired Sappers Association has been a vital maintainer of this heritage, but its active membership is quickly diminishing. Their organization and support of events recognizing CME birthdays and reunions is disappearing. 

An organizing committee is being established to celebrate the occasion. With the assistance of the Canadian Military Engineers Association and the support of the CME, they aim to conduct what will probably be the last major CME celebration in what was the “Home of the Engineers” from 1942 to 1998. 

Retired Sappers, Sapper Apprentices, Combat Divers, Airborne Sappers, and active engineer units have held many popular and festive gatherings in the old camp over the past eight decades. The format for this proposed “Last Reunion” is simple. Events will centre on the Chilliwack Heritage Park and All Sappers Memorial Park. We will open with a Registration and a Meet & Greet on Friday. On Saturday, we will march to the Cenotaph from the old saluting dais for a Service of Remembrance. That evening, there will be a Gala Dinner. Optional church and group memorial services are planned for Sunday morning, followed by a farewell brunch. Historical displays will be featured throughout the event, and kit sales opportunities will be offered. A videographer will capture the event with many personal interviews and stories.

 
The recent upwelling of patriotism reminds us of the importance of our history and heritage. We aim to seize the opportunity for the thousands of people who served in Chilliwack to reconnect, to remember and to pay homage to those who are gone. 

An organizing committee has already received positive responses from ADM Veterans Affairs and the Canadian War Museum for support and assistance. The CMEA has approved $25.0 K for start-up funding. The event will be promoted on this website and the CMEA website.