STATEMENT FROM MADAME CLARKSON
REGIMENTAL DAY, 17 MARCH 2008
My Dear Patricias:
Happy Regimental Day! The Regiment has returned to carry out its important work in Afghanistan. Patricias serving in the Second Battalion Battle Group, the Operational Mentor and Liaison Team, the Provincial Reconstruction Team and elsewhere in Afghanistan remain in my thoughts and prayers. I also pray for the families and friends they left behind. It was a pleasure to meet with many of these brave men and women during my visit with the Regiment in Wainwright last September, an experience I will always treasure. Our soldiers are thoroughly prepared and I am confident that the Patricias serving in Afghanistan will uphold the Regiment’s excellent traditions of groundbreaking leadership, professionalism, dedication and perseverance in the face of great adversity.
Important work continues in Canada. The First and Third Battalions are preparing to return to Afghanistan in 2009. Patricias serving in the schools and training establishments in Wainwright, St. Jean and Gagetown are busy training the Regiment’s soldiers and junior leaders for the challenges they will face in the years ahead. Patricias serving in headquarters across the country are conscientiously working on the planning and coordination required to make this all happen. The Loyal Edmonton Regiment is getting ready to celebrate 100 years of service to Canada and the PPCLI Association is working diligently to improve the Museum and Archives, organize the 95th Anniversary celebrations and support wounded soldiers, veterans and their families. I hope that all of you have an opportunity to celebrate our Regimental Day and wish good luck to the Broom-i-loo players as they face off on cold fields across Canada.
My first year as your Colonel-in-Chief has been a very rich and rewarding experience. So much has happened since the change of appointment parade last March. My visits to Edmonton, Vimy, Calgary, Wainwright and Gagetown were extremely memorable and I look forward to meeting many more Patricias in the coming year.
Yours faithfully,
Adrienne Clarkson
Colonel-in-Chief