Community Footprint

All photos by Pte Ron Kapchinsky except upper right by Sgt David McCord. Click on a photo to view a larger image.

His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex, KCVO, was invested as Colonel-in-Chief of the Saskatchewan Dragoons in a ceremonial parade at the LCol D.V. Currie VC Armoury. The audience included political dignitaries, retired members, friends of the unit, and family members and friends of the soldiers on parade. The event was covered by all three major television networks and members of the print media.

The honourary appointment of Colonel-in-Chief may only be held by a member of the Royal Family, and must be approved by the Sovereign. The practice originated during the reign of Queen Victoria, evolving from the colonelcies of members of the Royal Family, and from the ancient practice of monarchs bestowing royal titles on regiments.

The Earl of Wessex is the third son and youngest child of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh. He was known as Prince Edward until his marriage, when he was created The Earl of Wessex and Viscount Severn. His Royal Highness is also to succeed to the title of The Duke of Edinburgh. The Queen appointed Prince Edward a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in June 2003.

His Royal Highness inspects the troops, accompanied by commanding officer Maj Brad Hrycyna.	His Royal Highness accepts the guidon from Maj Brad Hrycyna, signifying his assumption of the appointment as Colonel-in-Chief of The Saskatchewan Dragoons.

Decoration Day is held annually in Moose Jaw on the Sunday nearest June 6, organized by the Royal Canadian Legion. The Saskatchewan Dragoons field a formation of soldiers for the remembrance service held at the cenotaph in Crescent Park. The Dragoons also provide a ceremonial guard for the cenotaph.

Left: A formation of Saskatchewan Dragoons marches to the cenotaph prior to the remembrance service. Center: The cenotaph, with two members of the guard at "reverse arms". Right: The formation at "present arms" during the service.

Maj Brad Hrycyna assumed command of The Saskatchewan Dragoons in a formal parade ceremony held at the LCol D.V. Currie VC Armoury. Maj Hrycyna is a native of Swift Current, where the Dragoons are developing a new troop. Maj Bill Green, the outgoing commanding officer, takes up new duties in the new all-reservist military trade of Civilian-Military Cooperation (CIMIC).

Outgoing CO Maj Bill Green, 38 Brigade commander Col Stephen Anema, and incoming CO Maj Brad Hrycyna sign the certificates effecting the change of command.

The Saskatchewan Dragoons bid farewell to their Honourary Lieutenant-Colonel with full military honours.

During World War II, "Jack" Sader served with the 8th Reconnaissance Regiment. He was commissioned from the ranks, completed officer training at Sandhurst, and rose to the rank of Captain. After the war he was active in the Militia in Prince Albert, Saskatoon, and Moose Jaw. He was appointed Honourary Lieutenant-Colonel of The Saskatchewan Dragoons on 20 November 1994.

The Saskatchewan Dragoons provided a color guard for the grand opening of the Mulberry Estates retirement estate. The Unit's participation was greatly appreciated by the veterans who form a part of the Mulberry Estates community.

The Saskatchewan Dragoons maintained a display at Swift Current's Frontier Days Exhibition. Swift Current is the home of the 8th Reconnaisance Regiment, in which our Honourary Lieutenant Colonel served during World War II, and which, as the 14th Canadian Hussars, was struck from the Order of Battle in 1965. The Dragoons are working to build a sub-unit here.

A parade down Main Street was the kickoff for the Moose Jaw Hometown Fair. The parade followed in reverse the route of the homecoming parade for the 46th Battalion CEF, starting from the Civic Centre parking lot adjoining the LCol D.V. Currie VC Armoury, and ending at the train station.

The Dragoons maintained a display at the Fair.

The Saskatchewan Dragoons entry in the Hometown Fair Parade. Note the unit flags displayed from the roof frame of the trailing Iltis.

Sidewalk Days is a three-day event during which several blocks of Moose Jaw's downtown Main Street are turned into a pedestrian mall with food stalls, displays, entertainers, and children's rides. The Saskatchewan Dragoons were there!

The Saskatchewan Dragoons display on the first block of Main Street. Out of view in the left foreground is an LSVW. Inset - the crew for the display at Sidewalk Days 2002.

Family and friends of the high school students in the co-op program course gathered at the armoury for the course graduation parade. These students attended high school classes in the mornings and took military training in the afternoons. The successful candidates earned two high school credits while completing their basic training and part of the QL4 course.

Most of the 20 candidates who graduated from the QL4 course on 3 November 2002 joined the unit for the Co-op Program and stayed on.

The Saskatchewan Dragoons forms up for the Co-op Program graduation parade, while friends and family gather to watch the event.

The Relay for Life was a fundraising event for the Canadian Cancer Society. The format was a 12-hour relay walkathon starting at 7 pm on Friday, 24 May. The Saskatchewan Dragoons fielded a team and raised about $1,200 in pledges.

The Saskatchewan Dragoons Relay For Life official team photo, taken before the start of the event. The riding crop held by the team member at the lower right served as the team's relay baton.

Seven members of the Saskatchewan Dragoons Relay For Life team relax while waiting to take their turns on the track during the 2002 Relay For Life.

Last updated 26 September 2003

Copyright © 2002, 2003 by The Saskatchewan Dragoons. All rights reserved.