DANNPAC Dissolution

Last April, an extraordinary meeting was held to dissolve the Defence Associations National Network – Pacific Region. This action became necessary upon the dissolution of the Defence Associations National Network East and DANN National in Ottawa. The meeting authorized the president, Cmdre Ted Heath (also president of RUSI VI) with VAdm Nigel Brodeur (the founding president) and Norm Smith to publish a final brochure containing the papers presented to the Senate Standing Committee on National Security and Defence in Victoria earlier this year.

Hereunder is the forward by the president, Cmdre Ted Heath, to this final brochure.

This collection of papers represents a selection of the submissions made by members of various Defence Associations that rest under the umbrella of the Defence Associations National Network Pacific Region Society (DANNPAC) to the Senate Committee on National defence and Security earlier in 2005.

Recently, DANNPAC took the decision to dissolve as a Society. This decision was not based upon a lack of need for an unfettered and knowledgeable voice representing Defence related matters in Canada but instead, the reality that many of our members are no longer willing to represent voices in the wilderness of Canadian public opinion.

In its formative years, DANNPAC was a vigorous but somewhat lonely voice and advocate in matters of Defence and Security. However, it is with pleasure that the society notes an increasing level of interest, advocacy and action in terms of both individuals and organizations across Canada. The increasing number of publications of the new generation of military historians, the probing analysis by the many faculty members at universities and the renewed efforts of national organizations such as the Conference of Defence Associations are all collectively raising the profile and discussion of Canadian Defence and Security. There is hope that these collective efforts will be more successful in genuinely raising levels of concern and interest in the general public than past attempts.

Included are papers presented by Cmdre (Ret) Thomas C. Heath, VAdm (Ret) C.M. Thomas, VAdm (Ret) N.D. Brodeur, RAdm (Ret) K. Summers for the Naval Officers Association of Vancouver Island and Capt (N) (Ret) Robin Allen.

The National Chairman of DANN, Gen (Ret) Ramsay Withers, heads a committee in Ottawa completing the legal modalities to finalize dissolution of DANN.

Top

Index