Montréal, Thursday, March 24, 2011

It is an honour, as commander-in-chief but especially as colonel of the Canadian Grenadier Guards, to be here with you today.

When I first became governor general, and drawing on my background as an educator, I wanted to learn more about how the office had evolved over time and to study its core responsibilities and duties. I made sure that I understood them so that I could share the value of this office with other Canadians.

One of the things that I discovered is how vital a role the commander-in-chief can play.

In recognizing and honouring soldiers such as yourselves for what you do, in promoting your activities and triumphs to Canadians across the country and to others around the world, and in listening to your concerns and your stories, I am fulfilling a time-honoured tradition set down by so many governors general before me.

This visit gives me the opportunity not only to tell you how proud I am to be your colonel, but also to explore the deep and historic ties between the Canadian Grenadier Guards and the office of the governor general.

I am looking forward to experiencing, for the first time since my installation, the pageantry of the ceremonial changing of the guard on Parliament Hill and at Rideau Hall this summer. I know that some among you here, wearing the trademark scarlet tunic and bearskin cap, will have the opportunity to serve in this capacity.

And it is really this dedication to service that I wish to acknowledge and celebrate today.

Volunteer members of the Grenadier Guards train and serve to make our country—and our world—more secure and free.

Looking around, I see people who are guided by important ideals, such as self-sacrifice and great commitment—two defining qualities of a soldier.

In my role, I am working hard to encourage Canada to become a smarter, more caring nation. One part of this vision is to encourage all Canadians to achieve a greater level of public service, something for which the Grenadier Guards—and every member of the Canadian Forces—is so well known.

I am impressed by how you balance your commitments as reservists with work, school and family. This level of civic engagement is inspiring and sets an example for the rest of us.

Sir Winston Churchill coined the phrase “twice the citizen” when referring to reservists. You embody a very old tradition: that of the citizen-soldier, carrying out his or her civic duty; people on whom Canada has always been able to rely to ensure its defence; those who contribute to international forces, both in times of peace and in times of war.

You have given me significant insight into the role that the primary reserve force plays in the Canadian Forces and all of its complexities and challenges.

All of you who have made this commitment have done so with the knowledge that this duty would take you away from your families for many weekends and summers. To them, for their support and their sacrifice, we offer our sincerest appreciation.

Also joining us here today are veterans who defended the values of freedom, justice and peace during the Second World War, as well as many veterans who served in Afghanistan, to whom I extend heartfelt greetings.

I would also like to salute the cadets. Their involvement with the Grenadier Guards today will provide them with many of the tools they will need as they grow.

I am a great reader of history. I revel in the stories of the brave men and women who helped to make Canada what it is today. I diligently pass their stories on to my children and grandchildren so that they can appreciate the price that was paid to secure their rights and freedoms.

I am pleased to have this opportunity to get to know all of you better. To listen to your stories. And to further appreciate your ongoing commitment to service.

As your commander-in-chief and colonel, I will continue to work with you and to help you share the rich legacy of the Grenadier Guards—more than 150 years of history—with Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

Thank you for making me feel welcomed as a new member of this family.

Up the Guards!