YARMOUTH, N.S. — Ten honorary colonels and honorary lieutenant-colonels have been appointed to units throughout the 5th Canadian Division within the past nine months. All appointments were made by Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan upon the recommendation of General Jonathan Vance, chief of the defence staff.
The appointments included Irene d’Entremont of Yarmouth, who was appointed honorary colonel of the 84th Independent Field Battery.
Honorary colonels and honorary lieutenant-colonels are vital to fostering esprit de corps within their communities, says a media release.
Through their established relationships and reputations, they build and develop community support by enhancing the public profile of the women and men of the Canadian Army. “Honoraries” are seen to be the guardians of military traditions and history, promoting regimental identity and ethos, and for providing critical support to commanders and commanding officers.
“I offer my sincere appreciation to our new cadre of honorary colonels and honorary lieutenant-colonels of the 5th Canadian Division,” said Brigadier-General Roch Pelletier, commander, 5th Canadian Division. “I know they will be tireless in their support to our soldiers and deeply committed in their efforts to promote the interests of our women and men in uniform.”
Also welcoming the appointments was Paul Hindo, honorary colonel of the Canadian Army.
“My sincere congratulations to the honorary colonels and lieutenant-colonels of the 5th Canadian Division as you join the Canadian Army family,” he said. “I believe you will find your time rewarding as you learn about our great women and men in uniform and develop a deep appreciation for the history and heritage of the units you will so proudly represent in the coming years.”
Quick facts
• The Canadian tradition of appointing prominent and influential Canadians as “honoraries” to military units has been a Government of Canada practice for over a century.
• Honorary colonels and honorary lieutenant-colonels of the Canadian Army have a number of responsibilities, including: fostering esprit-de-corps throughout the Canadian Army; advising their commanders and commanding officers on matters of significance to the army, including charities, organizations and memorials; liaising with other units; and strengthening the Canadian Army’s relationship with major stakeholders.
• The honorary colonels and honorary lieutenant-colonels of the Canadian Army also participate in various ceremonial events to raise greater awareness of the important work that the army and its soldiers do and to showcase this work to Canadians.
THE APPOINTMENTS
A list of Honorary appointments in the past nine months within the 5th Canadian Division is as follows:
Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Corinne MacLellan, Halifax Rifles (Halifax)
Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Dr Susan Chalmers-Gauvin, 8th Canadian Hussars (Princess Louise’s) (Sussex, NB)
Honorary Colonel Michele McKenzie, 36 Service Battalion (Halifax)
Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Robyn Tingley, 37 Service Battalion (St John’s NL&Labrador)
Honorary Colonel Chief Misel Joe, 5 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group (Gander, NL&Labrador)
Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Lydia Bugden, 36 Combat Engineer Regiment (Halifax)
Honorary Colonel The Honourable Grayden Nicholas, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, RCA (Saint John, NB)
Honorary Colonel Chiko Nanji, Canadian Intelligence Regiment (Kingston, Ontario)
Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Chief Brendan Mitchell, 2nd Battalion, Royal Newfoundland Regiment (Corner Brook, NL&Labrador)
Honorary Colonel Irene D’Entremont, 84th Independent Field Battery, RCA (Yarmouth, NS)
