By Lieutenant (Navy) Jennifer Fidler
The Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) inducted three more outstanding RMC Ex-Cadets into its ranks at the 2015 Wall of Honour ceremony this past September. The Wall of Honour recognizes alumni or college associates for their outstanding achievements and contributions to Canada or the World.
Dignitaries, honoured guests and family members gathered at the wall to witness this year’s induction of Lieutenant-General (retired) The Honourable Roméo Dallaire, the late General Ramsey Withers, and the late Colonel The Honourable George Stanley.
Lieut.-Gen Dallaire’s heroic actions resulted in the saving of 32 000 Rwandans from massacre while serving as Force Commander for the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda. He also served on the UN Secretary-General’s Advisory Committee on Genocide Prevention as well as many other UN Advisory positions. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada, retired Senator, celebrated humanitarian and best-selling author. His current goal is the eradication of the use of child soldiers in conflict.
As the guest speaker, Lieut.-Gen Dallaire spoke candidly during his powerful speech. Many guests took the unique opportunity to engage and shake his hand during the reception afterwards.
The late General Ramsey Withers who served in Korea was Canada’s sixth Chief of the Defence Staff. After his military career, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Transport Canada and awarded the Commissioner's Award of the Northwest Territories and the Outstanding Achievement Award of the Public Service of Canada.
The late Colonel The Honourable George Stanley served in the Second World War. He was a Canadian historian, author, a Companion of the Order of Canada and a Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick.
In 1964, when a committee was formed to debate a Canadian flag change to replace the Union Flag, Colonel George Stanley submitted a design that was based on the RMC flag. “Simple enough for children to draw and instantly recognizable,” he argued in his letter to the committee. The design was unanimously approved, and the Canadian flag as we know it today was born.
“I am most privileged to be guiding the new generations of leaders who, like me, are inspired by the examples set by our honorees,” said Brig.-Gen. Sean Friday, RMC Commandant. “I am also most humbled to be joining with you in recognizing these great leaders, all of whom having served Canada with the highest distinction, and in so doing, having personified our College motto: Truth, Duty Valour.”
Those in attendance for the ceremony included Lieut.-Gen Guy Thibault, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff; Senator Joseph Day; and Gen. (ret’d) John De Chastelain, former Chief of the Defence Staff and diplomat, all of whom are Ex-Cadets of RMC.
The Wall of Honour was a gift to the RMC, created by the class of 1963 and donated in 2009. The 6 foot 8 inch high limestone structure spans 132 feet long with gentle curves that resemble a wave. It is adorned with the names of the now 24 inductees to date.