Address by the Colonel of the Regiment

During the sixteen years that encompass the life of The Regiment Of Canadian Guards we, the members of that regiment, have become proud, without showing vanity, we have proven our superiority in many fields while retaining our humility. We have demonstrated our loyalty without any taint of servility and, thank God, we have been able to retain our dignity without any show of pomposity. In short The Regiment has, despite many difficulties -- some imposed, some unavoidable, fulfilled its function as Household Troops to Her Majesty The Queen of Canada; and as senior regiment of the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps.

I believe that it can be said on these pages that, in doing our rather special 'thing' we have managed to set an example that those who take our place will find it difficult to emulate.

This tragic, and in my view improper, decision to reduce our fine Regiment to nil strength may well be a decision that will long be regretted by those who made it. Nevertheless the die has been cast and as a result the name of our Regiment will henceforth head the list of those regiments relegated to the Supplementary Order of Battle of the Canadian Infantry. In time our Colours will be given into proper hands for safe-keeping. Likewise our regimental property and our trophies will be cared for and cherished by those who are chosen by the Regiment to look after them.

In the end it will be our Regimental Association that stays active, and thus it will become the place where the spirit of The Canadian Guards lives on. A place where we all can gather as friends; the place where that feeling of belonging will always pervade. It will also be the place where you will be able to join with the best 'company' in the world -- your brother Guardsmen.

Perhaps the most important thing that can be said of our Regiment is that no person can have served in The Canadian Guards without having gained something of value. All of us are, without question, better men for having served in the Guards. Part of the answer lies in the fact that as Guards we all have faced and overcome challenges that no other Canadian regiment presents.

Being a Guardsman, has surely changed all of our lives and our outlook. By setting us high standards to aim at and by giving us splendid examples of how we should live; our Regiment has shown us how we should conduct ourselves and what we should believe in if we are to be worthy of it and our country.

I keep saying to myself; let us hope that in happier times, when good judgement once again prevails, this Regiment of ours will be re-established in its rightful place where it will continue to serve our Country and the Queen of Canada. Until that day comes we must be content with two thoughts. First, let us remember all of the great and exciting things that we have achieved together; and also remember the fun we had doing it. Secondly, and most important; remember that there is no power on earth that can break the bonds that comradeship and mutual respect have forged between us.

Major General Roger Rowley, D.S.O., E.D.,C.D.

Colonel of the Regiment