ABOUT ME

It all started in Digby, Nova Scotia, on December 18, 1934, when I became the 5th of 11 children born to Robina Blanche Van Tassel (nee Rice) and Howard Burton Van Tassel. I attended school at Digby Rural High, but dropped out to become a fisherman in Digby at the very early age of 16. I enrolled in the West Nova Scotia Regt. Reserves and was on call out at the time the Korean War broke out. Due to my age I was ineligible to enlist in the regular forces. It wasn't for lack of trying but for some reason or another there was an age factor.

In 1952 a friend and I decided to hitchhike to Toronto to find more suitable employment. Although we were both successful in finding employment, I still had the yearning to become a soldier. With my mother's written permission I enrolled in the Canadian Army at 6 Personnel Depot in Toronto on the 27 Nov 1952 and was sent to the 2nd Cdn Rifles stationed in Ipperwash, Ont. I completed my basic training in Ipperwash and Advance Training in Wainwright, Alberta. In 1954 I was shipped off to Korea on the advance party with the then rebadged 2 Ban Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada as the Company Commanders Wireless Operator. (Major RB Firlotte, a real soldier and a father to me as well as the rest of the Company).

I served in the regular forces from 27 Nov. 1952 until 11 Dec 1962. During my military career I attended many qualifying courses not only upgrading my leadership skills but also my educational qualifications. The courses in administration served me well upon my return to civilian life. After my tenure in the regular forces I enrolled in the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders in Winnipeg for one year.

I was married in 1957 but my wife passed away very young from Cancer. We have a son, Gilbert Stephen, born June 27, 1958. Gilbert lives in Victoria B.C.

I married the love of my life and soul-mate, Lynne (nee Rudishyn), in 1965. Lynne and I have a daughter, Lori, a grand daughter, Amy Lynne and now a grandson.

Upon my release from the service I held many jobs, working in adult corrections, as a firefighter and than returning to corrections working with juveniles. We set up a wilderness camp for boys and operated three Group Homes for troubled youths in the City of Winnipeg . (The first ones licensed in Manitoba). I finished off my career as a Realtor, retiring in 1995.

I have attempted to maintain membership with the Army, Navy, & Air Force Veterans in Canada, the Royal Canadian Legion, The Korea Veterans Association, CAVUNP, and other associations. I have strived to do many things that were in the best interest of the memory of veterans with these different associations. During the years when I was employed I was always very active with the Korea Veterans Association and held many offices at different levels of KVA as well as Unit President for three terms, 1994 to 1999. From 2000 to 2004 I was one the founding members and President of the LGen. R. R. Crabbe Chapter of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping. That Chapter is based here in Winnipeg, Manitoba. During this time I also helped form three other CAVUNP Chapters in Brandon, Manitoba, Regina and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

As the Last Post Fund Director I was involved in fund raising for the building of a Columbarium in the Brookside Cemetery Field of Honour. In 1998, while President of Unit 17 of the Korea Veterans Association (KVA), I chaired the National Convention of KVA, the only one ever held in Manitoba with approximately 800 people in attendance. I also chaired a committee which raised funds for a Cairn in the Brookside Cemetery Field of Honour to honour the 37 Manitoba servicemen that lost their lives in Korea from 1950 to 1955 and the 17 servicemen killed while enroute from Camp Shilo, Manitoba to Seattle, Washington and then on to Korea in what is known as The Canoe River Train Wreck which occurred on the 21 Nov 1950. Also at this time my committee and I lobbied the Manitoba Provincial Government to have geographical features named for these men. Later I was involved in having the same honour for a Peacekeeper, Spr. Holopina, who was killed in Bosnia in 1996 .

In 2001 I was part of a committee to have "Peacekeeping – Service De La Paix” plaques installed on the Winnipeg Memorial Blvd. Cenotaph. To date many of these plaques are being installed by Legions within the provinces on individual cenotaphs. I successfully lobbied the Manitoba Provincial Government for a proclamation to declare in perpetuity the 27 of July as “Korea Veterans Day" and the 9th of Aug as "Peacekeeping Day", one of the first Canadian provinces to do so. I also chaired a project to build a Cairn to honour all Canadian Peacekeepers who were killed in the line of duty. That cairn was erected on Memorial Boulevard in Winnipeg, Manitoba in Aug 2004. See www.cavunp-manitoba.com/cairn

In 1999 I was awarded the Korea Veterans Association highest award, the Distinguished Service Star, for my work with the Korea Veterans. In 2002 I was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in recognition of my work with all servicemen and in 2003 was awarded the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation, which is awarded to individuals who have performed commendable service to the veteran community and/or individuals who represent commendable role models for their fellow veterans.

I am a member of the Memory Project, which is an initiative of the Dominion Institute, a life member of Heritage KVA, Past President Unit 17 KVA, an active member Unit 46 KVA, the Army Navy Air Force Veterans Assoc, the Royal Canadian Legion, the Korea Veterans Assoc and the Queens Own Rifles of Canada Assoc.

I have recently resigned as the President of the LGen. R. R. Crabbe Chapter, CAVUNP after 4 years as a founding member and President. It was time to move on to new challenges. I was also actively involved with the Joint Veterans Council and the Department of Veterans Affairs Advisory Council in the City of Winnipeg.

It is now time to slow down a little. I will be involved with only one organization as I find that wearing too many hats at my age is not working in the best interest of those that I am committed to.

In closing I would like to thank all those that have touched my life over the years and God willing I will still have many years left to enjoy. I have made so many friend over the years.

Also thanks to Piper George and Gerry MacFarlane for doing a lot of the work in making this wonderful website for me

Enjoy my site and take care;

Norm Van Tassel ,
The Rifleman

I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Vaughn Van Tassel on November 25, 2005. Vaughn and I spent much of our children at the Digby Arena playing Hockey . I am sure he will be missed by many. What a beautiful service and the respect paid to this individual was second to none. I am proud to say he was my cousin. MAY HE REST IN PEACE

    In honour of Vaughn I have added a new page to my site dedicated to his memory. Please click here to visit this page