Brothers and Sisters,

Not even a month ago I shared a letter concerning the deaths of two of our friends and fellow Teamsters (http://www.teamsters.ca/en/news/1347/fallen_brothers) .  Since then we have had to say goodbye to two more TCRCMWED brothers. 

Bob L’Henaff left us on January 26th, 2010 at the age of 50. Bob had spent 30 years on the CPR, working just about every position you could imagine, even supervisor.  I remember him best working the speedswing on the Shuswap division and at Christmas parties and barbecues.  I was close to Bob for a short time then, but as the years went by and we drifted apart geographically, I saw less and less of him.  That truly was my loss. Like most railroaders, Bob’s life had its ups and downs... hard times and good times, deep friendships and a few resentments.  But he loved his family and his friends, and was deeply loved by them in return. You’re missed, Bob. I hope that God has given you the peace that sometimes eluded you here and yet that you truly did deserve.

On February 8th, 2010, we also lost Bob Brown.  At 54, Bobby was only a few weeks away from retirement after 30 plus years on CP.  He was winding down his career as the TM/TD in Lethbridge, AB, when he was taken quietly last Monday evening.

 Vice President Ross Terry, one of Bob’s closest friends, will be MCing the Celebration of the Life of Bob Brown at the Lethbridge Legion Friday, February 19 at 4:00 PM and will be posting a tribute on the website following that.

Another good friend, Brian Wilson, shared the following story at a memorial service we had in 2005 for a brother who had been killed at work.  He told me that the author was unknown but that his grandmother had given it to him many years ago. 

I think about Brian’s words often ... how they apply to the solidarity in our Union, how they fit so well with the work that we do, how they sum up our friendships and how they help us to deal with our losses.  And I have been thinking about them an awful lot lately.... so I asked Brian if I could share them with you.

I can never think of this analogy, so beautifully worded, without thinking about all that we have and all that we’ve lost and how somehow, if we stick together, it seems to work out.  Miss ya, Gary.

Stay safe, stay strong, stay united,

Bill Brehl
                                                               

                                                          The Goose Story

Next Fall, when you see Geese heading South for the Winter....
flying along in a "V" formation...
you might consider what Science has discovered:
As each bird flaps its Wings,
it creates an Uplift for the bird immediately Following.
By flying in "V" formation
the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range,
than if each bird flew on its own.

PEOPLE WHO SHARE A COMMON DIRECTION
 AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY
CAN GET WHERE THEY ARE GOING MORE QUICKLY AND EASILY
BECAUSE THEY ARE TRAVELLING
ON THE THRUST OF ONE ANOTHER.

When a goose falls out of Formation
it suddenly feels the Drag and Resistance
of having to go it alone....
and quickly gets back into Formation
to take Advantage
of the lifting power of the bird in front.

IF WE HAVE AS MUCH SENSE AS A GOOSE
WE WILL STAY IN FORMATION
WITH THOSE
WHO ARE HEADED THE SAME WAY WE ARE.

When the Head Goose gets tired it rotates back in the Wing...
and another goose flies Point.

IT IS SENSIBLE TO TAKE TURNS DOING DEMANDING JOBS
WITH PEOPLE OR WITH GEESE FLYING SOUTH

Geese honk from behind to Encourage those up Front to keep up their Speed.

WHAT DO WE SAY WHEN WE HONK FROM BEHIND?

Finally....and this is important, when a goose gets sick,
or is wounded by Gunshots,
and falls out of Formation,
two other Geese fall out with that goose and follow it down
 to lend Help and Protection.
They stay with the Fallen Goose until it is able to fly or until it Dies;
and only then do they launch out on their own
or with another Formation to catch up with their Group.

IF WE HAVE THE SENSE OF A GOOSE
WE WILL STAND BY EACH OTHER LIKE THAT.