Remembrance Day
Today, on Remembrance Day, we recognize, reflect and honour the military contributions, service and sacrifice of all of Canada’s Veteran heroes. Let us not forget those who have, and still do, put their lives on the line so that we may live in peace.
EMC also acknowledges two of our own servicemen, Tony Bassile and Phil Russell. Thank you, gentlemen, for your selflessness and courage.
Lest We Forget.
Tony Antoine Bassile
Tony was born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1983 and was raised in Windsor, Ontario. After becoming an electrician, raising a family, and continuing his career with EMC, Tony answered the long awaited and profound calling to joining the Canadian Armed Forces.
After successfully completing the aptitude and FORCE Test- Fitness for Operational Requirements of Canadian Armed Forces, Tony was enrolled and solemnly sworn in on March 23, 2020.
Currently, Tony is completing Basic Training and intends to complete and continue to his formal trade training as a Canadian Infantryman in 2022.
Tony is a Private Recruit under the 4th Division 31st Brigade and a member of the Essex and Kent (E&K) Scottish Regiment out of his hometown of Windsor Ontario. The Essex and Kent Scottish have a lineage that can be dated back to 1749, with an unbroken lineage dating to June 12, 1885. The E&K were the first militia produced in Ontario and have Battle Honors from nearly all major conflicts Canada has faced. They have, and continue to be, a critical unit to the service of Canada.
Upon completion of his electrical apprenticeship, Tony began work in Port Albert, Ontario, supervising new residential construction. Tony would later apply to the Canadian Union of Skilled Workers and obtain employment as an electrician at Bruce Power for Areva NP Canada in 2009. He would move into the roles of an Assessor and eventually as the Site Manager. In 2015, Tony joined EMC as the Site Manager and subsequently moved into the role of Labour Relations Manager in 2020.
Tony obtained his 309C, 309A, and Master Electricians license and also has a diploma is Wildlife and Forestry Conservation. Tony married his wife Sophia in 2005 and they have two sons: Domenic (14 years old) and Romeo (10 years old).
James Phillip (Phil) Russell
Phil Russell, originally from Antlers, Oklahoma, joined the Navy in June 1979. After completing basic training in San Diego and graduating as Recruit Division Honor Graduate, he attended Machinist’s Mate “A” School at Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois, Navy Nuclear Power School (Class 8003) in Orlando, Florida, and prototype training at the Nuclear Power Training Unit, Idaho Falls, Idaho, where he was asked to remain as a nuclear instructor.
From June 1983 until July 1992, he served aboard various sea commands including USS Omaha (SSN 692), nuclear powered research SUBMARINE NR-1, and USS Ashville (SSN 758). He attended Navy Dive School in Panama City, Florida, graduating in January 1987 as a Navy Diver.
In July 1992 he attended the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 40.
From January 1993 to November 1995, he served as Command Master Chief of Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit, Charleston, South Carolina. During the period November 1995 until May 1999, he continued his sea service, serving as the Command Master Chief of USS Elliot (DD 967), and USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74).
He attended the United States Navy Senior Enlisted Academy in as a member of class 78, graduating with honors in October 1997.
From May 1999 until September, 2001 he served as Command Master Chief for the Commander, Navy Region Hawaii.
In September 2001 he was handpicked by the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy to serve as the Command Master Chief for the Commander of the CNO-directed TASK FORCE EXCEL. This Task Force led a revolutionary transformation in the way the Navy trains and invests in its Sailors and became the foundation for the Naval Personnel Development Command where he served as its first Command Master Chief until January 2004.
Phil Russell served as the Command Master Chief for Commander, Sixth Fleet in Naples, Italy from January 2004, leading the SIXTH FLEET staff transition until the position was consolidated with the Fleet Master Chief position at Naval Forces Europe in June 2005. During this tour he spearheaded the participation of Senior Enlisted personnel in maritime Staff talks with Allied partner Navies throughout the European Theater focusing particularly on developing partners in the Black Sea region. In addition, he served as the Senior Enlisted Leader for Joint Task Force AGILE RESPONSE 04. It was during this time that he was selected for consideration and as a finalist for the position of Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.
Selected to represent the enlisted force in the formation of the Navy’s Human Capital Strategy initiative in Washington, D.C., he served as the Command Master Chief for the Commander TASK FORCE TOTAL FORCE until October 2005.
Phil Russell reported to his final tour as Command Master Chief of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) in November 2005, and after championing the Eisenhower to be a Brandenburg Cup winner for being the best aircraft carrier in the Navy, he retired in June 2008. Following retirement he became the program manager for operations assessments at the Navy Network Warfare Command in Norfolk Virginia.
In February 2009, Phil accepted a First Line Supervisor position with the Tennessee Valley Authority at the Watts Bar Nuclear Plant. He was promoted to Maintenance Superintendent in January 2010, and worked as a line superintendent until January 2011. He then moved to the position as the Maintenance Department Training Coordinator, a superintendent position charged with the responsibility of coordinating between the line and training organizations to ensure the work force was technically trained and proficient in all required qualifications, and with overseeing the growth and development of the maintenance department First Line Supervisors.
Phil participated in the University of Tennessee’s Professional MBA program and graduated in December 2012 with a Masters degree in Business Administration and a Six-sigma green belt certification.
Joining the Day & Zimmermann team in October 2014 and Phil has filled Site manager positions at Oconee Nuclear Power Plant and Brunswick Nuclear Station. Transformation Manager at the Tennessee Valley Authority, and as Operations Manager for Day & Zimmermann providing services to the 8 nuclear sites in the Entergy Nuclear system. Phil is currently serving in the position of Director Performance and Development for Day & Zimmermann Nuclear Corporation Canada.
Phil married Andrea G. Scheller in August 1986 in Honolulu Hawaii. They have three children, Patrick, Cassandra, and Danielle and 4 grandchildren, and reside in Lenoir City, Tennessee.