Allan Plett

Allan Plett (WO retired) started his military service in 1973 with the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. He served from 1973-1987 and attained the Rank of Warrant Officer serving in many capacities finally retiring in Dec 1987. He started an interest in First Aid until finally starting a new career with British Columbia Ambulance service as a Paramedic in 1988. He retired in 2013 after almost 25 years service. During this time he was recognized by the New Westminster Police Board for Bravery and BCAS with the Executive Directors award also for bravery. In 2009 he rediscovered an old passion for riding a motorcycle and joined a group called Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Unit (the CAV). In that same year he attended a repatriation of a fallen Afghanistan soldier and was hit with the passion to give back tirelessly to the serving and veteran community. He took on many opportunities to help raise thousands of dollars for many charities. In the CAV itself, Allan volunteered in many leadership roles within the CAV including all unit positions up to being the Unit Operation Officer for Western Canada from 2016-2020. He was invested into the OSTG in 2017.

Melanie Graham

 Lt(N) Melanie Graham retired from the Canadian Forces in September 2012. She served as a Naval Public Affairs Officer and enjoyed almost eleven years in the Regular Forces. She began her career, in October 2000, as a Naval Reservist, but began working with DND Public Affairs shortly after her transfer to the Regular Forces.

Graham has served in a variety of capacities including: Liaison Officer for the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)USS; Base Tours supervisor CFB Esquimalt, a community outreach program that trained and employed University of Victoria students as summer guides for the base; and, Assistant Adjutant at the Transport Unit of Canadian Force Base Esquimalt.

In 2010 Graham deployed to Vancouver as the PAO with Task Force Vancouver, and Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians). The Task Force was a component of Operation PODIUM, a joint RCMP-led security support operation for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Following Operation PODIUM, Graham was posted to 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group where she served as PAO until 25 July 2011.

Graham completed a BA in International Studies at the University of British Columbia and successfully defended her MA thesis on Strategic Culture in April 2012.

Graham has three grown children and several grandchildren, and enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle in the Southern Gulf Islands.