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HONORARIES’ MESSAGE
By Honorary Colonel Bruce D. Bolton, MMM, CD, and Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Jonathan Birks
On May 1st, 2020 the Black Watch was introduced to the modern world when Bruce Bolton and Jonathan Birks were inducted as Honorary Colonel and Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment by a virtual ceremony. MGen Loomis’ dirk was symbolically transferred from HCol Dan O’Connor to Bruce Bolton and Col Knox’s dirk was handed to Jonathan Birks. These historic artifacts are the symbols of office and carried on ceremonial events to recall the role and importance that Honoraries have played within the Regiment over a century and a half. To have this done through a virtual ceremony, broadcast live over the internet, was a direct result of the Covid-19 pandemic changing the way the Regiment has operated for decades. Flexibility, innovation, and adaptability have become part of our duties!
As this is our first Honoraries message for Canada’s Red Hackle, we wish to give you a sense of the honour we have accepted and how we will do our utmost to live up to it in the coming years.
First, we thank the Minister of National Defence and the Chain of Command from Ottawa to the Regiment’s CO, LCol Bruno Plourde, and the Regiment’s Advisory Board for approving these appointments. One of the main roles of the Honoraries is “developing, promoting, and sustaining strong community support for the unit”. We shall do so! In Black Watch tradition it is important for the Honoraries to be leaders of the Regimental family, to ensure its vibrant and meaningful support of the unit, and see to the sustainment of the Cadets Corps, the Associations, museums, memorials, etc. – in other words, everything that makes the Black Watch the unique Regiment that it is. We have accepted this challenge and will do our best to fulfill this mandate.
That being said, we can only do so with the support of the members of the family itself, and consequently, we seek the support of all members and friends of the Regimental family as we move forward.
We would be remiss if we did not sincerely thank our predecessors, HCol Dan O’Connor and HLCol Chuck McCabe. Their dedication to the Regiment over a very long period was most evident during their terms as Honoraries. We are pleased that they will continue in their roles as Chairmen of the Royal Highlanders of Canada and the Black Watch of Canada Foundation, respectfully. The depth, dedication, and experience of our Boards of Directors is impressive, and the continuing leadership of Dan and Chuck is much appreciated.
As we undertake this role, we have come to some basic conclusions as to the direction we will encourage within the Regimental family.
The Regiment is Our Focus: Be there, whenever possible, in support of the young men and women who have enrolled
Honorary Colonel Bruce D. Bolton, MMM, CD
Honorary Lieutenant- Colonel Jonathan Birks
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to wear the Red Hackle and the Black Watch kilt, as have our predecessors. They are the embodiment of history being made in today’s world. Excellence in training, maintaining traditions (including uniforms and deportment), and the Black Watch way are critical.
Passing the Torch: Finding ways to ensure that the next generation is more actively involved in the many aspects of the operations of the Regimental family. Communicating using the latest technology, caring for members, encouraging young people to become leaders in society, recruiting, and remembering the past (museum & archives, memorials, and ensuring remembrance) are just some aspects.
Communicate to the Wider Community: Strong leadership in today’s world and the utilizing the Regiment’s proven ability to help young people become leaders through the cadet corps programs and enlisting in the Reserves. The Regiment must remain at the forefront of Montrealers’ knowledge of Reserve Regiments.
However, there are immediate priorities which must be addressed. These include the publication of our new Regimental History Book, the re-opening of our renovated museum, locating former members worldwide and rekindling their pride and interest in the Regiment, working with our Association Branches and other Regimental entities to ensure the vibrant continuation of their missions, and the ongoing need to solicit moral and financial support from, not only the Regimental family, but the larger community.
In our first few months, we have already witnessed the Unit’s dedication to serving the community through its highly effective involvement in the COVID-19 pandemic. We had the pleasure to meet some of the soldiers who served at the seniors’ homes and to learn that their flexibility and skills could be meaningfully transferred from machine guns to taking care of the elderly with military discipline, organization, and compassion. This experience was simply amazing! This crisis has drastically changed our way of doing things this year and Regimental spirit, as usual, is brilliant.
We move forward knowing that the well-being of the Regiment is in all our hearts and that, in remembrance of the past, our future is assured.