IT’S A GOOD (RILEY) LIFE !

Christmas 2008

It’s a long-standing tradition with the RHLI – at the Soldier’s Christmas Dinner, the officers and senior NCO’s serve the dinner to the soldiers as a mark of the responsibility they hold. The dinner is also an opportunity to recognize achievement, make the final promotions of the year, and have a little fun with prize draws courtesy of the Regimental Kit Shop. This year, cam netting draped the wooden walls of the “knock-down” urban village, assembled and put into duty to make the setting for the dinner.

The coveted Silver Cap Badge Awards are the ultimate mark of achievement within the unit, to mark the top soldiers at the Private-Corporal, Master Corporal, senior NCO and junior officer levels. For 2008, the awards went to Cpl Darren Glaab, MCpl Ian Harrington, Sgt Ken Cameron and Lt John Coomber (second award).

In addition, several CO’s Commendations were awarded for significant achievements and contributions to the Regiment’s success over the past year: Maj Don Kennedy, Major Dan Stepaniuk, MCpl Matt Drumm, MCpl Mike Meen, Cpl Steve Meigs, Cpl Jeff Simser, and 2Lt Richard Moll (who is spearheading the 13th Battalion Ceremonial Guard).

In a moment of good fun, retiring Major Kennedy, who has made a significant but largely unsung contribution to the success of the unit in the past few years, was the recipient of a good-natured “roast” from the senior NCO’s who outlined his dubious “achievements” in an amazing 43 years of continuous service, such as having “chariot” on his military driver’s permit!

All in all, a night of good food, great companionship and lots of fun!