On February 6th Logisticians from all corners of CFB Kingston gathered to celebrate the 57th birthday of the Royal Canadian Logistics Service (RCLS). Over 250 people came to enjoy a BBQ lunch and birthday cake that was generously hosted by Logistics Support Squadron (LSS) and supported by an RCLS Association grant. Sub-lieutenant Leon Repin, of LSS, led an incredible team of volunteers who helped make the event a great success.
Outside, the winter weather was in full force, but inside the LSS Transport Bay, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. In attendance were CAF members and DND employees from every domain of the Logistics service as well as senior leadership from various Units across CFB Kingston. In their address, the Base Commander, Colonel John Scott and the Base CWO, Chief Warrant Officer Lori Flowers, thanked everyone for their excellent work and ongoing contributions that keep the Base and all of its Units running. The audience was reminded to take care of oneself and one another in order to stay the course. Being a Logistician and meeting its demands “is a marathon, not a sprint”, Col. Scott said, as a wise warning against burnout. His advice was to prioritize tasks and pay attention to the feedback from the people who are closest to you, such as your family and friends, because often they are the ones who can tell when you are showing signs of burnout. Even while striving to live up to the motto, “Service Second to None”, we must tend to our total well-being and resilience.
These themes were also reflected in the remarks by the LSS Chaplain, Capt Claire Bramma. Since spiritual resilience involves having meaning and purpose, as well as a sense of belonging and community, she highlighted how these things can be represented in birthday cake: “cake helps manifest the virtues of joy, hope, beauty, generosity, friendship, community, and love. In particular, birthday cake celebrates and gives thanks for life, rejoicing in having successfully lived another year and signifying a new beginning and good intentions for the year to come.” Belonging and community is illustrated by how each piece of cake is essential to the existence of the whole cake: “every piece, different in size and shape, reminds us of the value of diversity and how individual gifts and talents contribute to the success of the group… so it is with the RCLS. One Body with many members, within which all nine Logistics occupations are united in one spirit of service.”
Such spirit of service was shown by the four Cooks who made some extravagant birthday cake. Master Sailor Svetoslav Nikolov and Aviator Izabella Decastris from CFB Kingston Personnel Services created a three-layer vanilla buttercream cake, as well as two flavours of cupcakes (double chocolate and vanilla). Cpl Damon Johnston and Mrs. Devon Kruders from RMC created a multi-layer vanilla, white chocolate and buttercream cake. These special cakes were certainly a tangible expression of the skill, creativity, and service that defines all Logisticians, and a sweet reward for everyone’s labour.
Seeing so many CFB Kingston Logisticians come together was a tangible sign of how celebratory events, such as this one, can boost morale and remind everyone that they are valuable members of a greater whole. Happy 57th birthday to the RCLS!
By: Capt Claire Bramma
