November 30, 2020

Mayor Veer appointed Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel with the Canadian Armed Forces

(Red Deer, Alberta) – Nominated by the Commanding Officer of 41 Signal Regiment, and signed off by the Minister of National Defence; The City of Red Deer congratulates Mayor Tara Veer on her recent appointment to Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel by the Canadian Armed Forces in recognition of her work in the community, commitment to honouring military veterans, and local reservists.

“I am extremely honoured to have been given the distinguished appointment of Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel with the Canadian Military,” said Mayor Veer. “I am eager to serve in this position, in conjunction with my public duties. The sacrifices of our Canadian Armed Forces and the many veterans that served our country are what have allowed me to serve our community as Mayor. Past and present heroes in the Canadian Armed Forces have made our country what it is today. They are the reason for the freedoms Canadians enjoy today.”

“Mayor Veer has been a dedicated supporter of local troops and I know she will bring the to same dedication to our Squadrons in Edmonton and Calgary as well. I am delighted with her appointment as Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel of 41 Signal Regiment and am excited about the enthusiasm and profile that she brings to this important role in the Canadian Army Reserve.”

Honorary Colonel Lloyd Lewis, 41 Signal Regiment

“Mayor Veer’s remarkable career and contributions to Red Deer will certainly be an inspiration to all of our soldiers with her demonstrated ‘service before self’, leadership, and boundless energy. The soldiers of 41 Signal Regiment are truly honoured to welcome Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Veer to our ranks.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Steven Flavel, Commanding Officer, 41 Signal Regiment

Honoraries are a tradition going back more than a century in the Canadian Armed Forces. They are typically prominent private citizens who volunteer to act as advocates for their regiments, communities and guardians of regimental traditions and histories. The first Honorary Colonel appointment in Canada was that of Lieutenant-Colonel the Honorable J.M. Gibson, a Provincial Secretary in the Ontario Government. He was appointed as Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel to the 13th Battalion of Infantry in 1895.

Early in the 20th century in Canada, Sir Robert Borden described the practice of appointing Honoraries as “of greatest advantage to the Militia to be able to enlist the interest and sympathy of gentleman of position and wealth by connecting them to Regiments.”

That sentiment remains true today. The Honorary is seen to be the guardian of regimental traditions and history, promoting the regiment’s identity and ethos and being an advisor to the Commanding Officer on virtually all issues excluding operations.

“As an Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel, I will endeavor to foster ‘esprit de corps’ and support the 41 Signal Regiment and its leadership, and work to develop and strengthen the ties between our local military and communities, businesses, and industry throughout Alberta,” said Mayor Veer. “I will fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to me, which include providing a link between the local and provincial Squadrons and the community, and raise the public profile of the Regiment with utmost pride. Thank you to the Canadian Armed Forces for this honour.”

This honorary position builds upon and aligns with Mayor Veer’s role in the community as ambassador and advocate for the needs of the region.

“This is also a recognition for our community, and I share this with the people of Red Deer as I continue to advocate for the betterment of Red Deer for our citizens,” Mayor Veer continued.

The appointment is effective immediately, and is a three year term. A formal installation ceremony will be planned soon pending provincial health protocols.

41 Signal Regiment has squadrons in Red Deer, Edmonton and Calgary.

Click to learn more about the appointment process.

Click for more information about 41 Signal Regiment.

Six stories from local soldiers who have deployed internationally in the past year

from the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Arts Awards Foundation

Peter von Tiesenhausen, a Lieutenant Governor of Alberta 2015 Distinguished Artist, spent the past six months hunkered down in Demmit Alberta building a deluxe playground for the community center – and musing about connectedness, the importance of social interaction and his role as an artist in the social contract.

Peter’s last project prior to the March 2020 COVID-19 lockdown was the installation of Things I Knew to be True in the newly renovated Stanley A. Milner Public Library, part of the City of Edmonton’s public art collection.

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