BY KATE EVERSON (Quinte West EMC News)
Quinte West – An honorary colonel is an officer on virtually all issues except operations, according to 8 Wing Public Affairs Officer Captain Annie Morin.
"They work behind the scenes and provide a much needed connection between the community and the Canadian Forces," she says.
Each unit decides who they want as an Honorary Colonel. On the recommendation of the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Minister of National Defence approves all honorary appointments. These unpaid positions are usually for tenures of three years, but they can be extended.
Some of the duties include:
- fostering esprit de corps,
- developing, promoting and sustaining strong community support for the unit,
- establishing and maintaining liaison with unit charities and associations,
- maintaining close liaison with the unit Commanding Officer or Commandant and other honoraries in the area,
- assisting the unit hosting parades and other unit functions,
- carrying out the other duties or providing expertise in matters where they are qualified through background and knowledge when requested by higher authority. Other unit/squadron Honorary Colonels:
2AMS HCol Col James Jr Eben
424 Sqn HCol Col Robertson Ed
426 Sqn HCol Col Sherwin Arthur
429 Sqn HCol MGen (ret’d) Terreau M.
429 Sqn HCol Col Armstrong H.C.
436 Sqn HCol Col John Smylie
437 Sqn HCol Col See John
8 ACCS HCol Col Piercy Maureen
8 AMS HCol Col Villeneuve Fern
8 Wing HCol Col Rainbird Glenn CFAWC HCol Col Terry Chris
College President Maureen Piercy is Honorary Colonel of 8 Air Communication and Control Squadron (8 ACCS) Trenton. She is shown here in the pilot seat of a Canadian Forces CC177 Globemaster, during an Honorary Colonel Conference.
Photo Credit: Ken Allan.