A couple of change-of-command ceremonies at the Edmonton Garrison on Thursday saw two respected officers pass on the torch to two promising colonels.
The ceremonies took place on two separate occasions at the Steele Barracks Parade Square.
A parade during the afternoon saw commanding officer Lt.-Col. Derek Macaulay of the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) transfer his command to Lt.-Col. Trevor Cadieu.
Later that evening, Brig.-Gen. Andre Corbould bid farewell to the 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and left Col. O.H. Lavoie in command.
Macaulay had some words of wisdom for his successor as he addressed the crowd at the parade.
“Enjoy every minute,” he said. “Because I can tell you it passes all too quickly.”
Cadieu said it was a huge honour to be named the new commanding officer of the Strathcona regiment. He said he first joined this regiment about 20 years ago, and the people around him have taught him what he knows about leadership.
Taking command of a regiment will be a tall order, Cadieu admitted, but he said he had faith in his soldiers to continue their work.
“The way forward for this regiment really is no change for the time being,” he said. “We are going to continue until directed otherwise by the Canadian government to generate these teams of great soldiers to deploy overseas to Afghanistan.”
