Standing proudly in formation in the shadow of the May Day fair, a group of 30 men and women stood for inspection by the top army soldier in western Canada.
After three months of basic training completed on Wednesday nights and weekends, the graduating class of recruits to the Rocky Mountain Rangers marched in parade outside CN Centre in front of proud family members and friends Sunday morning.
"This is a tremendous day for us in the army in western Canada and it's a tremendous day for you and for Prince George," said Brig.-Gen. Paul Wynnyk, leader of all Canadian Army troops between northwestern Ontario and the B.C. coast.
As part-time soldiers, the members of the Rocky Mountain Rangers are the beginnings of the unit's return to Prince George after being disbanded in 1970.
The original civilian militia was formed to defend the western frontier against incursions during the 1885 Northwest Rebellion. From there, the Rangers had a storied history of making contributions to military efforts domestically and abroad in every conflict Canada has been a part of.
The Army commander said when he meets with provincial authorities, he repeatedly hears a message of gratitude for the work the reservists put in, going from their regular civilian lives one minute, to stepping up to assist their communities the next.
"The Rangers have returned to Prince George and the soldiers we see standing before us today are, in a sense, modern pioneers who will pave the way for future soldiers in this community," Wynnyk said.
The return of the P.G. unit was announced in February 2011 and recruitment began quickly. The plan was for the unit to begin with a platoon of 30 soldiers and support team members before working its way up to a full company of 120 soldiers.
During their course, the men and women learned general safety and first aid, field survival skills, map reading, weapons skills and military law and regulations.
"Whatever path these soldiers choose, they will look back at this experience with pride and self-assurance knowing they have reached a major milestone in their lives and accomplished something that very few Canadians could," Wynnyk said.
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