Beth Basinger has been an active Member with the Military Family Services Centre that serves the Ottawa-Gatineau region since 2020, where she currently serves on the Advisory Committee and Secretary.
She is the spouse of 29 years to a retired CAF member, and she is trained as a registered nurse.
Brigitte Laverdure, retired AirFrame Technician, was born in Magog, QC, and joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1980. Early in her military career she was transferred to Summerside, Prince Edward Island, where she served for 7 years. During that time, she received a certificate of professionalism for detecting a very critical anomaly on a specific device.
In 1988, she transferred to Bagotville in the same capacity and also became an Air Cadet instructor. After 19 years of loyal service, an accident in 1999 caused her to leave the Canadian Armed Forces.
Fern Taillefer began his military journey as an Army Cadet with the 204 Algonquin Cadet Corps in North Bay, Ontario, where he spent four years, attaining the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major.
In 1974 he joined the Infantry Reserves - the Algonquin Regiment in North Bay and served with the Regiment for six years.
Jane Hall (nee Greenwood) served 21 years in the RCMP (1977-98). Her last post was as Training NCO (Cpl.) for Surrey Detachment. Post-service she authored The Redwall; a Woman in the RCMP (2007 General Store Publishing House), in addition to serving as Chair of the Women in Leadership: Public Safety Leadership Development Consortium 2009-2013, Chair of the RCMP Veteran Women’s Council 2013-present, past president of Police Futurists International (PFI) 20118-19, and as a member of Women Veterans Research Network (WREN) 2019-present.
Major General John (Jay) Milne (retired), MSM, CD, served 38 years in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Signal Officer in the Regular Force, and then an Armoured Officer in the Primary Reserve. He has commanded at the troop, squadron, unit, and brigade levels, and has served in different capacities at the National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ).
Staff Sergeant Stephen Walker (retired) served 31 years in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Throughout his career, he served in the Province of Manitoba as a police officer in rural and Indigenous communities throughout his career. He was posted to Detachments, Major Crime, Organized Crime units and was a Staff Relations Representative for the RCMP in Manitoba. He has also served on various Committees and Boards of Directors during and since his service with the RCMP
Wendy-Anne Jocko joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1979 and served for 23 years. Throughout her career she served in Edmonton, Calgary, Chilliwack, Petawawa, and completed two tours in Bosnia and Croatia.
Wendy-Anne is currently the Indigenous Liaison with Innovation7, and a Committee Member with the Assembly of First Nations Veterans Council. Prior to this she was the Chief of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, leading them through the COVID-19 pandemic and on to a Treaty and Self-Government.
