For Chuck Ross, Remembrance Day is an opportunity to honour the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for Canada — in the past, present and future.
Photo from Ross’ graduation parade in 1978
As the service officer for the Carman Legion, and as a veteran himself, Ross carries a deep connection to the military. His family’s history of service spans generations.
“Some families farm — my family goes to the military,” Ross said.
His great-grandfather is buried in Flanders Fields. Both of his grandfathers served in the army, his parents were in the air force, and his son is now in his 21st year of service. Even his ex-wife spent several years in the military, and his grandson is already expressing interest in following the family tradition once he finishes school.
From 1978 until 2013, Ross worked as an avian assistant technologist with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) — a role he describes as equivalent to an aircraft maintenance officer “in normal people terms.” He fixed and serviced military aircraft all over the world, often putting himself in extreme situations for days on end.
“One thing the military has presented me with was challenges and the opportunity to do different things in different places. It’s not just a job — it’s a lifestyle that is kind of its own concert,” he said.
Ross noted that the job often pushed him to his limits, requiring him to navigate worn-down equipment in harsh environments. Yet each day brought a new and unique experience for him and his colleagues.
He recalls his time in Europe during the Cold War, where he underwent chemical warfare training — something he never had to do in Canada.
“You had to meet the expectations of your job while wearing a rubber suit with a gun hanging around your neck,” he said.
Back home, Ross worked in countless locations across Canada.
“You go wherever the aircraft needs you,” he said. “For me, it was always about service. It might sound cliché, but there’s a dignity that comes with that — it’s about rising to that level of dignity.”
Not all of his memories are easy ones. Ross has faced personal loss throughout his career.
“It highly affects you because it’s people you know. In any type of situation, you don’t really think about people dying — yet it’s something that happens every day, and it affects everyone on different levels,” he said.
One of his hardest losses came in the 1980s when a plane crashed south of Calgary, Alta., killing all crew members on board.
“These are just some of the things we have to deal with along the way,” Ross said. “You’re warned this job will take you to places where you’ll be in smoke, solvents, fuel and explosions, where things will go wrong. It’s one thing to read the warning — it’s another to experience it.”
Despite the hardships, Ross said the relationships he built have been the greatest gift of his military life.
“Everyone in uniform is basically your family,” he said. “The very best people I have ever met in my life have been through the military. We are all part of a family trying to do one job. Whether you’re in a position where you’re constantly being put on the end of a pointy stick or being shot at, or you’re part of that supply chain from behind — you rely on each other.
“It takes a huge number of people to ensure a soldier makes it through their day. Those people, at every level, you rely on them. You go to war, live and work with these people knowing they’re your family and friends — and that your life might rely on them someday.”
He described each relationship as a memory forever etched in his mind, no matter how small or big the interaction. Recently, he crossed paths with a woman he had worked with 35 years ago.
“It was like I just saw her yesterday for the first time,” he said. “All of your history just flows in.”
Ross continues to work with the CAF as a quality assurance representative with the Department of National Defence, a role that keeps him connected to the military community.
“It’s boring some days, but other times it can be really interesting with all the cases we face and the commodities that brings,” Ross explained. “It’s our job to provide the boys and girls in uniform with the very best things we can get for them — it’s all about supporting the whole military mission.”
This Remembrance Day, Ross hopes Canadians take a moment to reflect on the true meaning of service.
“It’s not just for those who were killed in war — it’s for every Canadian Armed Forces member because their jobs were equally important,” he said. “Everyone deserves to be honoured and remembered. They stepped up during a time of need and put their life on the line. Everyone in a uniform has made a commitment to serve, but not everyone in a uniform will come out alive. They gave their guts, care, bravery, willingness and commitment for the millions of Canadians back home.”
Ross will be involved with several Remembrance Day ceremonies around town, including one at the Carman Community Hall on Nov. 11. Doors open at 10 a.m., with the service starting at 10:45 a.m. All are welcome to attend.
“We are all on this spaceship together, and we owe it to each other to step up and work together toward a common goal of respect and peace,” Ross added. “This is a huge and varied adventure we took on, and it’s important that we take a moment to honour this journey.”
