The first Fox run without Betty pages 3-4
Tough decisions for Eagles coach page 35
Thursday September 15, 2011 Serving Surrey and North Delta www.surreyleader.com
Military’s ‘unsung heroes’ reunite
Casino property ‘flipped,’ says city Surrey loses out on $25 million in upgrades promised for run-down mall
Royal Canadian Army Service Corps soldiers gather in Surrey next week to reminisce
by Kevin Diakiw AFTER WINNING approval for a mini-
by Boaz Joseph
H
istory is repeating itself for Ken Diamond and Bob Fraser. The two seniors are working logistics – transport, signals and administration – just like they did in the military decades ago – as they prepare for an invasion of veterans for a special reunion in Surrey. Members of the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps (RCASC) will gather from Sept. 21-28 at Compass Point Inn (formerly The Days Inn) to reminisce about their now-disbanded regiment. From 1901 to 1968, the RCASC was the backbone of the supply chain for the Canadian military, providing soldiers at war and in peacekeeping missions with the transportation, food, ammunition, medicine and other supplies to do their jobs. During the Second World War, more than 100,000 Canadian soldiers were members of the RCASC. “We were originally the supply and transport wing of the army,” says Diamond, 69, who worked in administrative roles on bases in Canada from 1957-67. “We also supplied the navy and air force.” He calls them “unsung heroes” who played an important part of their missions. See RCASC / Page 12
TOP PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED BOTTOM PHOTO: EVAN SEAL / THE LEADER
Ken Diamond (above, left) and Bob Fraser are hosting a reunion for their unit, The Royal Canadian Army Service Corps, in Surrey next week. The top photo is of Fraser (second from right) with the 56th Canadian Transport Company shuttling Swedish troops from Gaza to Sharm El Sheik, Egypt as part of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Sinai Desert after the 1956 Suez Crisis.
casino in Newton, Boardwalk Gaming has sold the property to another company, leaving Surrey council angered about failed promises for the property. In 2009, Boardwalk promised a $25-million investment that would see a revitalized mall and community policing station at 7093 King George Blvd. in exchange for a lucrative zoning change that would allow slot machines at Newton Bingo Country. The rezoning was in violation of Surrey’s existing gaming policy, but it passed on a fiveto-four vote. Hundreds of supporters – mostly not-for-profit groups that rely on funding from gaming – came to a contentious, Linda Hepner marathon public hearing. They were matched by passionate opponents to expanded gambling in Newton, who argued the area already had its share of crime, poverty and addiction. The city now says Boardwalk “flipped” the property to Gateway Casino and Entertainment Ltd. See BUSINESSES / Page 3
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Tong Louie Family YMCA Expires Sept. 30th, 2011 Must bring in ad and photo I.D.
14988 57th Avenue, Surrey 604-575-YMCA (9622)
Save time, save money.