Defence Team News Interview with LCol Jean-Pascal Roy, on the Canadian Rangers’ 75th anniversary
Video / June 10, 2022
Transcript
(SVH) The Canadian Rangers are celebrating their 75th anniversary. And one of the highlights of this milestone year was a kickoff ceremony in Victoria, BC. Today, we're speaking with LCol Jean-Pascal Roy, Commanding Officer for the 4th Canadian Ranger Patrol Group. Can you tell us about the importance of paying tribute to the Canadian Rangers?
(JPR) So, it's really important for us to talk about what the former Canadian Rangers have done in the past. They are the foundation of what we are today. And paying tribute to them is just highlighting the efforts and the service that they have done to Canada, to the Canadian Armed Forces and to their community. It was really important for us to highlight that on that 23rd of May, even more than the whole weekend that we had a week ago.
(SVH) I understand that 4 CRPG hosted the Canadian Rangers' 75th anniversary rendez-vous. What did this mean to 4 CRPG?
(JPR) First, it was a great honour and privilege to host this event. For 4th Canadian Rangers Patrol Group, it was an opportunity to showcase what we're doing the best in British Columbia.
(SVH) Who was an attendence at the ceremony and is there anything from that day that stood out to you?
(JPR) We got plenty of distinguished guests, from those, we had the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Anita Anand, and we had as well the Chief of Defence Staff, General Wayne Eyre. We had the privilege as well to have Her Excellency, the Governor General, the Right Honourable Mary Simon. It was really special to have Her Excellency being there and celebrating with us the 75th anniversary. And one thing that I would like to highlight, is it was the first time that a governor general was wearing the red hoodie. That image of everybody knows about the Rangers that wear the hoodie. And she was wearing it. And even the entire hundred persons guard of honour was wearing the red hoodie. So it was once in a lifetime and we were privileged to see that on the 23rd.
(SVH) I understand that the kickoff celebrations included some Canadian Ranger training stands. Can you tell us more about that?
(JPR) So, those four stands were linked to equine mobility, helicopter operations, all-terrain vehicles mobility, and marine mobility. And the intent behind it was to share the best practices that we have seen so far. And all the Rangers from across Canada will be able to bring it in their own community and in their patrol group. And see what they can bring to their community and improve their mobility.
(SVH) And any closing remarks before we let you go?
(JPR) I would like to invite everybody to look at the Canadian Army website or on social media platforms to see what's going on. There's been plenty of national, regional and local events and I'm inviting everyone to participate in those activities.
(SVH): Thanks again for taking the time to talk with us today, sir.
(JPR) Thank you.