- Reaction score
- 198
- Points
- 1,210
Folks,
This year has been an interesting one indeed. We've seen a lot of changes here, hopefully most of them for the better. Next year is shaping up to be even more active, with some big changes just on the horizon.
I wanted to post this short note to thank everyone who has helped Army.ca and its sister sites (Milnet.ca, Navy.ca and Air-Force.ca) succeed and grow this year. Quite simply, we couldn't have done it without you. There are so many people who have helped us in so many ways I can't individually thank everyone here, but I'd like to cover some of the highlights.
Thanks to our dedicated Staff who - at great personal expense - pour their heart and soul into the community. Appreciation for your work usually comes in the form of a public inquiry from those who don't completely understand the system, but without you Army.ca would be a very different place. We are highly a respected resource for all manner of things related to the Canadian military, and this is a direct result of the time you have invested. Without your efforts serious discussions simply wouldn't have an environment in which to thrive. We would have long ago fallen into that dark Internet free-for-all that has claimed so many other sites. We're coming up on our 17th year online (old enough to join!). Credit for that longevity belongs to our hardworking Staff.
Thanks to the subscribers, who part with their hard earned cash every year to ensure we stay on the air. It's no exaggeration to say that without your support, we would peter out and soon vanish all together. Subscribers are the backbone of Army.ca and keep us standing tall.
Thanks to our senior members, who often lend out their expertise to help others, correct rumours or guide visitors to find what they're looking for. All done without the benefit of a shiny title.
Thanks to our newly formed Mentor cadre for volunteering their time to be the "example" for others to follow. Your work has lightened the load on our Staff and spurred a noticeable (and positive) shift in attitude across the board. Your help is invaluable.
Thanks to our visitors who keep us on our toes and give us the momentum to keep going. I hope that in the coming year you will find a home in Army.ca and help make us better through your willingness to share.
And last but certainly not least, thanks to all who have worn the uniform this year. With 28 of our brothers in arms lost and countless others wounded in Afghanistan, it's been a tough year for a lot of our friends. Those who are not already deployed are usually just returning, preparing to go back, or supporting those who are. Your sacrifice is well understood and appreciated here. We try to spread news of the hard work and fantastic achievements you are accomplishing 'over there' as it's the least we can do. Your efforts have earned the respect of our membership, of Canadians, and indeed of people around the globe. There is nothing more commendable than sacrificing your safety and comfort so that strangers might enjoy some of their own. You honour us all in upholding this longstanding Canadian Tradition.
I can only hope that Army.ca has given back a small fraction of what it has taken from everyone I've thanked above. While we try to "serve those who serve," I know we sometimes fall short. When we do, I hope you let me know so we can try to improve. This year we took some pretty big steps to become transparent and accountable. I've seen the results and I think we all have reason to be pleased with how things are going.
I have no doubt the coming year will bring a wide variety of challenges and I'm confident that we will help each other meet these challenges head on. The strength of the community we have built here is extraordinary. We have the power to do some great things when we all pull together.
I know I speak for all the Staff when I say that we're thankful for all the support and assistance we've received. It's humbling when we hear that Army.ca has had a positive impact on someone's day. I'm truly excited to see how we can build on the successes of 2009 and can't wait to see what we'll be able to achieve in 2010.
Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year
The Army.ca Staff
This year has been an interesting one indeed. We've seen a lot of changes here, hopefully most of them for the better. Next year is shaping up to be even more active, with some big changes just on the horizon.
I wanted to post this short note to thank everyone who has helped Army.ca and its sister sites (Milnet.ca, Navy.ca and Air-Force.ca) succeed and grow this year. Quite simply, we couldn't have done it without you. There are so many people who have helped us in so many ways I can't individually thank everyone here, but I'd like to cover some of the highlights.
Thanks to our dedicated Staff who - at great personal expense - pour their heart and soul into the community. Appreciation for your work usually comes in the form of a public inquiry from those who don't completely understand the system, but without you Army.ca would be a very different place. We are highly a respected resource for all manner of things related to the Canadian military, and this is a direct result of the time you have invested. Without your efforts serious discussions simply wouldn't have an environment in which to thrive. We would have long ago fallen into that dark Internet free-for-all that has claimed so many other sites. We're coming up on our 17th year online (old enough to join!). Credit for that longevity belongs to our hardworking Staff.
Thanks to the subscribers, who part with their hard earned cash every year to ensure we stay on the air. It's no exaggeration to say that without your support, we would peter out and soon vanish all together. Subscribers are the backbone of Army.ca and keep us standing tall.
Thanks to our senior members, who often lend out their expertise to help others, correct rumours or guide visitors to find what they're looking for. All done without the benefit of a shiny title.
Thanks to our newly formed Mentor cadre for volunteering their time to be the "example" for others to follow. Your work has lightened the load on our Staff and spurred a noticeable (and positive) shift in attitude across the board. Your help is invaluable.
Thanks to our visitors who keep us on our toes and give us the momentum to keep going. I hope that in the coming year you will find a home in Army.ca and help make us better through your willingness to share.
And last but certainly not least, thanks to all who have worn the uniform this year. With 28 of our brothers in arms lost and countless others wounded in Afghanistan, it's been a tough year for a lot of our friends. Those who are not already deployed are usually just returning, preparing to go back, or supporting those who are. Your sacrifice is well understood and appreciated here. We try to spread news of the hard work and fantastic achievements you are accomplishing 'over there' as it's the least we can do. Your efforts have earned the respect of our membership, of Canadians, and indeed of people around the globe. There is nothing more commendable than sacrificing your safety and comfort so that strangers might enjoy some of their own. You honour us all in upholding this longstanding Canadian Tradition.
I can only hope that Army.ca has given back a small fraction of what it has taken from everyone I've thanked above. While we try to "serve those who serve," I know we sometimes fall short. When we do, I hope you let me know so we can try to improve. This year we took some pretty big steps to become transparent and accountable. I've seen the results and I think we all have reason to be pleased with how things are going.
I have no doubt the coming year will bring a wide variety of challenges and I'm confident that we will help each other meet these challenges head on. The strength of the community we have built here is extraordinary. We have the power to do some great things when we all pull together.
I know I speak for all the Staff when I say that we're thankful for all the support and assistance we've received. It's humbling when we hear that Army.ca has had a positive impact on someone's day. I'm truly excited to see how we can build on the successes of 2009 and can't wait to see what we'll be able to achieve in 2010.
Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year
The Army.ca Staff
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