"Event Operations Order" for VEMRA members
VEMRA 2024 EVENT SCHEDULE:
1…. 24 FEB. – PERIOD OUTING, AT HERITAGE ACRES, SAAICHTON;
2…. 22 -25 MAR. – OPERATION PACFIC RANGER, CAMBELL RIVER AREA;
3…. 17 – 20 MAY – ANNUAL MILITARY BIVOUAC, BC AVIATION MUSEUM;
4…. 25 MAY, FORT MACAULAY DAY, ESQUIMALT ;
5…. 30 MAY, VETERANS AFFAIRS CANDLE LIGHT COMMEMORATION, ESQUIMALT;
6…. 1 JUNE, 80TH ANNV. OF D – DAY, CAN SCOTS MUSEUM COMMERATION;
7….15 - 16 JUNE, SUMMER FAIR at HERITAGE ACRES
8…. 1 JULY, CANADA DAY ( TENTATIVE);
9…. 21 JULY, EDWARDIAN SHOOT, FISH AND GAME CLUB
10…. 17 – 18 AUG. - BC AVIATION MUSEUM OPEN HOUSE, SIDNEY;
11…. 2 NOV. – BAY STREET ARMOURY/ MUSEUMS OPEN HOUSE;
12…. 4 – 8 NOV. – REMEMBRANCE DAY SCHOOL PROGRAM;
13…. 11 NOV. – REMEMBRANCE DAY, FORT MACAULAY.
(NOTE) We will be scheduling some overnight bivouacs to coincide with the military bolt action range days. Along with a few extra period outings.
Monitor your E/M and VEMRA Facebook for up - dates as required.
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VEMRA OPERATION ORDER
ANNUAL MILITARY BIVOUAC
OPERATION NORTHERN LIGHTS
BC AVIATION MUSEUM
18 – 20 MAY 2024
GROUND:
1… The bivouac will be set up in the area right of the museum proper. Facing
the museum, use the gate at the right-hand end of the visitor parking lot. Once inside, boundaries will be laid out by the BCAM.
CONCEPT OF EVENT:
2… As per laid out in warning order.
MISSION:
3… VEMRA in partnership with Veterans Affairs Canada and the BC Aviation
Museum acting as our host, will co-ordinate and execute our annual military bivouac.
EXECUTION:
4… GENERAL OUTLINE; Using a living history timeline bivouac set up (1775 –
1990) our main objectives will be:
(a) Commemoration and Remembrance of our military’s sacrifices and their
commitment to security and peace at home and abroad.
(b) To aid the BC Aviation Museum to promote their commemorative integrity
and historical value.
(c) Within the WW2 timeline the Commemoration priorities should be 100 Th
Annv. Of the RCAF and the 8oTh Annv. Of D-Day.
GROUPING AND TASKS:
5… BC Aviation Museum – Will be the event host and provide a museum liaison
officer.
6… VEMRA – Act as the event co-ordinator – liaison with the BC Aviation Museum to get briefing on any health, safety and operating procedures as required for the event time frame - provide gate guard for encampment as required – responsible for the safety and security of the encampment – museum security after hours – cover all cost of the event.
COORDINATING INSTRUCTIONS:
7… CAMP BOUNDARIES AND LAYOUT – Museum staff will have the boundaries laid out for the bivouac area. As these boundaries are in conjunction with airport security at no time will you go beyond the areas laid out by the museum. The layout of the camp will be in our usual timeline fashion, so make sure you check with the VEMRA camp staff prior to off-loading and setting up.
8… CAMP SET UP – Once you have been assigned your area keep in mind your
fellow re-enactors to your left and right of you, that you are not cutting them off or blocking the visitor route. If a period vehicle is part of your display ensure it is not in a position blocking out those beside you.
9… TIMINGS:
CAMP SET UP – 12:00 17 May – 09:00 18 May,
EVENT TIMINGS – 18-20 May, 10:00 hrs. – 16:00 Hrs. daily,
AFTER HRS. SET UP/TEAR DOWN – after 16:00 daily,
CAMP MEETING – 09:00 18 May,
WEAPONS SAFETY CHECK – 09:30 18 May,
NO ALCOHOL – 09:00 – 16:00 daily,
QUIT Hrs. – 24:00 – 08:00 Daily.
SERVICE SUPPORT:
10… HEALTH AND SAFETY: - The health and safety of all the event participants,
museum staff and visitors are a very high priority for all VEMRA members while on site. All shall adhere to the rules and regulations as laid down by the museum and VEMRA.
11… VEHICLE/VEHICLE MOVEMENT – No participant vehicle movement in or out
of the encampment during visitor hours 10:00 – 16:00 daily.
12… WEAPONS – As per warning order.
13… MEDICAL – First Aid at red cross marked tent.
14… Dress/Displays – All displays must reflect your time period and in a historical setting. Militaria show, craft fair or period car show type displays are not allowed. All displays must be staffed by a VEMRA member in period uniform or civilian dress to reflect your persona/display during visitor hours.
14… SECURITY – The security boundaries as laid out by the museum staff must not be crossed. The gate access to the bivouac area must remain closed and locked when not in use, or a guard must attend it. All personal weapons and displays are the responsibility of the individual.
16… RATIONS – Rations are your responsibility.
ADMINISTRATIONS/LOGISTICS:
17… MEMBERSHIP – All attending the event must be signed up members prior to the event, “There are no first-time walk-up memberships''. Unless you have been added to our fanout list prior.
18… TRAVEL/RATION ALLOWANCE – The allowance will be to all VEMRA
members who have attended all three days of the event. Amount to be calculated after all event expenses’ have been covered.
19… EVENT ATTENDANCE RETURNS – No later than 13 May 2024.
COMMAND AND SIGNALS
20.. Camp commander – Don Thomas.
Camp RSM – Rick Milchell.
Weapons officers – Harry Moon, Branko Diklitch.
Provo Marshals – Mark Ivins, Connor Thomas.
Museum liaison - TBA
NOTE: If you are interested in covering any of the above duties in the future, please let me know and we can brief you on the duties for the future.
21… SIGNALS – Don Thomas (250) 642-2977. engineerjumper@shaw.ca
ADHERENCE TO REGULATIONS:
22… All attending the event should review VEMRA’s mission statement. The integrity of all VEMRA events depends in large part upon the deportment
of our members and their good faith to adhere to our principles and policies.
23… Do not abuse your after-hours activities.
25… Keep in mind that we are guests of the BC Aviation Museum, and our total co-operation with their staff and volunteers helps reinforce the historical integrity and commemorative value they bring to the community.