I Stood Straighter on Saturday

Saturday marked the day I had been thinking about for the past few years.  I’d been invited to consider the role of Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of 41 Signal Regiment by then Honorary Colonel Ron Woodward, former President of Red Deer College. Ron and I had spent considerable time together when I served on the RDC Foundation Board between 2006 and 2014. My guess is that during this time together, Mr. Woodward saw something in me that led him to believe I would bring value to the role. Over the ensuing months I attended several dinners and events as a guest of the Regiment, both for me to get a good sense of the role I’d play, and for the army to get a sense of who I am and whether or not I’d be a fit. It is not uncommon for HLCol’s to be from non-military backgrounds as one objective of the HLC program is to create a bridge between the military and the community. Because we will be closely associated for the next 6 years, this part of the process is very important.

My appointment was finalized about a month ago and after a frantic series of appointments to get my “kit” together, and then the subsequent lessons on how to wear the various elements of my combat fatigues and my soon to arrive uniforms.  I woke up early, dressed in my CADPAT (Canadian Army Disruptive Pattern) or camouflaged combat uniform to the rest of the world, checked myself closely in the mirror as I fretted about my new beret. I’ve been warned that you’re judged by how your beret fits and looks so it gets a bit more time than the rest. Then I set off to Banff with an incredible sense of both excitement and terror.  My first indication that something was different came as I entered Banff National Park. I pulled up to the Park gate with my cash ready to pay the 24-hour fee only to be thanked and waved through.

I arrived at Central Park in Banff where the troops were staging, getting ready to march to City Hall in what I’m told is the first time a military unit has marched in a Canadian National Park with Bayonets fixed. I made my way through a large group of soldiers, some of who noticed my rank and saluted. I awkwardly returned the salute and carried on. And I stood a little taller and pulled my shoulders back. I soon spotted Commanding Officer LC Gilson. Eric, as I know him, is a veteran officer who served as part of the NATO Stabilization Force in Bosnia.  He also had the honour of being Guard Commander for the 90^th Anniversary and re-dedication ceremony of the Vimy Ridge Memorial in France in 2007. He’s tasked with helping me settle into the role.  An engineer by trade, he seems to have a fine sense of humour, something I’ve come to appreciate as I wrestle with how to ask the many questions I have, knowing that each one does nothing to dispel the notion that I’m a rookie.

It’s not too long before I find Honorary Colonel James Graham. While LC Gilson and I will work closely together for the good of the Regiment, it’s really this man who will teach me the ropes for the next few years.  He’s a former Signaler, a “lineman”, a role I can tell he is intensely proud of. He’s forthright, decisive, runs a large company, and regularly flies in from some Europe or the United States to lend his support to the Regiment. I’m once again reminded of what incredible shoes I have to fill.

The reason we are all in Banff is for the The “Freedom of the Town” march.  This is the greatest honour a town can bestow on a military unit. It’s a historic tradition that signifies respect and trust for the unit and its soldiers. The relationship between the 41 Signal Regiment and the Town of Banff began 40 years ago. In 1976, the 746 Communications Squadron under Commanding Officer Major L. Maes, approached the Royal Canadian Legion in Banff and requested that the Calgary-based Signalers participate in the Remembrance Day Parade. The 41 Signal Regiment continues this annual tradition.

The practice of appointing “Honoraries” to units has been in place in Canada for more than a century. The first Honorary Colonel appointment in Canada was that of Lieutenant-Colonel the Honourable J.M. Gibson, a Provincial Secretary in the Ontario Government. He was appointed as Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel to the 13th Battalion of Infantry in 1895. There are different types of Honorary appointments in the Canadian Army: Colonel-in-Chief, Colonel of the Regiment, Honorary Colonel and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel. In the Reserve Army, units usually have two Honorary positions: Honorary Colonel and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel. The Honorary is seen to be the guardian of Regimental traditions and history, promoting the regiment’s identity and ethos and being an advisor to the Commanding Officer on many different issues.

My goal in the next 6 years is to bring awareness to the 41 Signal Regiment and the Army Reserve and the important role it plays. I want to help us all understand how businesses can benefit by supporting their employees who are also members of the Army Reserve.  From leadership to project management, there are incredible advantages that can come from the kind of training that’s provided in the Armed Forces.  From the experience I’ve had in 35+ years of media and corporate life, this kind of leadership training is not readily available and anything we can do to create better leadership has spinoffs into all areas of society.

I’ve had a camera in hand since I was a teenager and my love of photography will hopefully provide a visual sense of the passion and commitment that I witnessed first-hand this weekend.  I will continue to post updates periodically as I go on this 6 year journey as HLCol of 41 Signal Regiment.

Lloyd Lewis, Honorary Lieutenant Colonel, 41 Signal Regiment

Lloyd Lewis is President of Todayville Inc.  A veteran of more than 35 years in private television in Western Canada (most recently VP/GM CTV Edmonton), and a musician and photographer, he has a history of community service, currently serving on a number of volunteer Boards including the United Way of Alberta Capital Region, The Alberta Lieutenant Governor Arts Awards Foundation, and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel 41 Signal Regiment in Alberta.