Operations

Afghanistan. There are currently 26 Highlanders deployed overseas. We expect them to return in May. Two corporals were injured in an IED attack 30 December. Both are back in Canada recuperating.

Olympics. There are currently nine Highlanders serving in support of the winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Territorial Battalion Group. The Calgary Highlanders are now the lead unit for a TBG based out of Calgary.

Social and Ceremonial Events

24 Apr:  Freedom of the City of Calgary.  The Regiment and its affiliated cadet corps will march to Old City Hall where it will conduct the full ceremony with members of the 10^th Battalion Calgary Highlanders Association and the newly-formed 103^rd Regiment (Calgary Rifles) historical group.  This event is also to commemorate the Battle of St Julien and in particular the attack on Kitcherners’ Wood (April 22, 1915).

Dress DEU 1 with medals. Light refreshments afterwards at Mewata.

The 3016 Airdrie Army Cadets will be participating in this event.  This event is open to the public.

29 May:  Centennial parade at Currie Barracks in conjunction with KOCR and 14 Service Battalion (soon to be 41 Svc Bn).  This will be the last parade ever at Currie.  The lieutenant-governor has been requested as the reviewing officer.  Dress DEU 1 with medals

30 May:  Regimental BBQ and Highland Games. A casual event for the regimental family.  Location TBC (Organizers:  10^th Battalion Calgary Highlanders Association and CH Family Association). [Ed: we are checking into if the cadets are also invited.]

July: Calgary Exhibition and Stampede – the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth begins on the first Friday of July (unless that Friday is also Canada Day) with a parade in downtown Calgary.  The Regimental Pipes and Drums have appeared in almost every Stampede Parade since the first parade in 1912.   During the Stampede, the Regiment maintains a weapons display as part of the Canadian Armed Forces stands at the Stampede Grounds.  The public is invited to come talk to the soldiers of the Regiment and safely handle the weapons the Regiment trains with.

30 Oct:  Walcheren parade and change of command. Dress DEU 1 with medals.  This is to commemorate the Battle of Walcheren Causeway (Oct 31 to Nov 2 1944) and is commemorated annually by the Regiment.  The local Dutch Community also participates in this event.  In the past, this has included a choir in traditional Dutch national costume, buffet lunch with Dutch cuisine and inspection of the Guard by the Dutch Consul General.  This event is open to the public.

Nov.  Expected unveiling of the Calgary Soldiers’ Memorial. This memorial, to be constructed adjacent to Memorial Drive, will list the names of every Highlander and member of the 10^th Battalion who died serving Canada.  The CSM is being coordinated in conjunction with all the Army Reserve regiments in Calgary.  Ground-breaking ceremony expected 6/7 March. (Organizer: Capt Boyle)

Regimental Pipes and Drums

Centennial CD.  The Regimental Pipes and Drums have recently begun  recording a music CD.

Other Centennial Projects

Pictorial History. Cpl Michael Dorosh is compiling a pictorial history of the Regiment to complement the existing histories (Gallant Canadians by Daniel Dancocks and Battalion of Heroes by David Bercuson)

Highlanders in Afghanistan. 2Lt Josh Hill and MCpl Cody Martin are gathering material for a book commemorating the service of Highlanders in Afghanistan 2006-2010.

Overseas Service Panel. Thanks to the generosity of the 10^th Battalion Calgary Highlanders Association, a panel listing every Highlander who has ever served overseas is now on display at Mewata.  It will be updated to include those soldiers currently serving in Afghanistan.

Regimental Museum

“Tanks and Tartan”, a special Centennial exhibit in conjunction with the KOCR, will open to the public 1 April.  Sneak peek 31 March following the Regimental Birthday parade at the Military Museums.