nepotism or practical/common sense?-Ceremonial guard for G-8

[bossi]

(well, on one hand - they ARE called the "Ceremonial Guard" ... however it would be interesting to find out how many GGFGs or Grenadier Guards were involved in the decision process ... purely out of curiousity)

Alberta regiments overlooked
'The Loyal Eddies could have done it'
 
Chris Wattie  
National Post
Friday, June 28, 2002

Organizers of the G8 summit flew a special unit of ceremonial guardsmen to Kananaskis from Ottawa and Montreal, passing over a number of Alberta-based regiments with their own special ceremonial guards.

The 140 members of the Governor General's Foot Guards, based in Ottawa, and the Canadian Grenadier Guards, from Montreal, were flown in to provide a colourful backdrop to the visiting leaders and dignitaries as they arrived.

The two regiments, part of the Canadian Forces army reserves, wear scarlet tunics and tall black bearskin hats for ceremonial occasions. The uniforms are based on those worn by British Army Foot Guards regiments.

Their regimental band was also flown to Kananaskis.

Military officials were not able to provide estimates of the cost of flying the guardsmen to Alberta, but when 50 soldiers of the Royal 22è­¥ Regiment were airlifted from their Quebec base to Vancouver for the 1998 APEC summit, it cost $210,000.

It later emerged that an aide to Jean Chré'©en, the Prime Minister, insisted the soldiers replace Vancouver's Seaforth Highlanders. The Seaforths, a reserve unit, were to serve as the guard of honour for the Asia-Pacific leaders, but the Prime Minister's Office instead demanded a "distinctively Canadian" guard.

Spokesmen for the PMO did not respond to requests for interviews yesterday.

There are two regular army regiments in Alberta, the Lord Strathcona's Horse and the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in Edmonton, with their own ceremonial units for such occasions.

The Lord Strathcona's maintains a "Mounted Troop" made up of volunteer soldiers dressed in scarlet tunics, lances and helmets, who recreate the regiment's roots as a cavalry regiment in 1900.

The PPCLI have a "Drum Line" of regimental drummers in scarlet uniforms, who performed at April's ceremonies for the four soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

There are also a number of reserve regiments in Calgary and Edmonton, including the King's Own Calgary Regiment, the Calgary Highlanders and the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, which has its own ceremonial regimental band.

A military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said neither the regular nor the reserve units were considered for duty at the G8 summit. "Ottawa just said the Foot Guards were coming and that was that," the source said.

David Haas, a retired officer and curator of the regimental museum for the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, said the "Loyal Eddies" -- as the unit is nicknamed -- could have handled the ceremonial duties.

"Ceremonial-oriented units would tend to have their drill at a slightly better level," he said. "But the Loyal Eddies or any one of the [Alberta] units could have done it, I think."

He could not say why the Foot Guards were chosen instead, but added: "Perhaps they thought their bearskins would blend in better with the local wildlife."

 

[Gunner]

What a bunch of crap.

The Ceremonial Guard were specifically requested as they were a formed body of troops that could be flown out to Calgary and allow the Regular Force units to concentrate on the "pointy end" tasks. I highly doubt the LER could have accomplished this task and it simply wasn‘t worth the trouble, nor the possible embarassment of not enough people getting off the bus. Moreover, if they have enough personnel to mount the honour guard, why aren‘t they out on tasking in Wx?

Stupid Reporters....

 

[fortuncookie5084]

There were no real Grenadier Guards on the G8 parade---I know because the Grenadiers picked up the GGFG‘s slack in Ottawa while they were on their little job. The only ones wearing the Regiment‘s Grenade at the G8 thing are only musicians who are handed a uniform of either the CGG or the GGFG as required. They do not train during the year and are not on the effective strength of my Regiment.

Why were the GGFG flown out there? Nobody seems to know, aside from the ceremonial guard being the best qualified for any ceremonial occasion that might come up. When it comes to drill nobody comes close.

 

[Gunner]

Why were the GGFG flown out there?

Its rather simple. 1 CMBG units were being used to provide ground security. LFWA Reserve units were directed to focus on filling tasks and courses. Who else is there and wouldn‘t you agree the Ceremonial Guard provides a ready made ceremonial unit that was available as their first official mounting of the guard isn‘t until 01 Jul 02?

Nobody seems to know, aside from the ceremonial guard being the best qualified for any ceremonial occasion that might come up. When it comes to drill nobody comes close.

I know very well... The ceremonial guard being the best qualified for any ceremonial occasion, yada, yada, yada. Talk to the hand buddy because my ears aren‘t listening. If you want to be proud of the drill of your unit go join the cadets.

 

[the patriot]

No one will really no why they needed to fly in a unit, when a perfectly capable unit to mount a ceremonial guard was nearby. The Seaforth Highlanders could have taken the bus to the G-8 Summit and provided a very capable Highland Ceremonial Guard. But, no..... apparently they‘re not Canadian enough as VanDoos being flown out for a parade.

-the patriot-

 

[Andyboy]

VanDoos?

 

[Gunner]

Patriot, you are thinking of APEC in Vancouver inwhich the PMO interfered with the Seaforths providing the guard. Vandoos (can‘t remember which Bn) were flown out (apparently) because the Highlanders did not look "Canadian" enough.