Beyond Service: Bruce Riopelle (Ottawa)

Bruce Riopelle has been a commissionaire with the Ottawa Division for 23 years, nearly matching his 24 years served in the military.

Though he had earned a Canadian Forces Decoration medal and a rosette, colleagues noticed his decorations didn’t match his service history; he was missing a second rosette. Earlier this year, the Commanding Officer of CFS Leitrim, the site at which Bruce works as a commissionaire, personally presented him with his rosette, and allowed him to be Acting Sergeant Major of a parade squadron that day. 

Bruce’s military career included a deployment to Cyprus after which he was posted to the Pathfinder Platoon at CFB Petawawa. He was responsible for setting up and operating drop zones, pick up zones and helicopter landing sites for the airborne operation. This position earned him a Gold Flame which he dons on his commissionaires uniform.

Bruce boasts that he has used just about every skill he acquired while in the military—barring the exclusively military skills, of course—in his role as a commissionaire. And he is proud of how the federation has transformed to inclusivity and diversity.

Now that the sun is out, you may see Bruce on his Harley Road King catching some well-deserved rays, or riding with the Canadian Army Veterans Motorcycle Group which he started in Ottawa to serve and help the local military and veteran community.

Thank you for your service, Bruce. Ride on.