Troopers of the Lord Strathcona Horse at Green Point Camp, Cape Town, South Africa - Date/Photographer unknown.

14 October 2011

Canadian Pacific and Lord Strathcona's Horse Regimental Society Build on Longstanding Relationship with Announcement of Unique Partnership

Edmonton Alberta - Canadian Pacific and one of Canada's earliest cavalry regiments, Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) Regimental Society, continue to build on a relationship dating back to the Boer War when one of CP's founding fathers Donald Smith, or Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal, raised and equipped the "Strathcona's Horse".
 
At a ceremony at CP's South Edmonton rail yard, which featured both modern and historic tanks, a state-of-the-art CP locomotive, and mounted Strathcona soldiers in ceremonial uniforms, CP and the Society re-affirmed a long-standing relationship, which builds on CP's recent $100,000 donation to the Military Families Fund made during an event celebrating the driving of the Last Spike.
 
"Canadian Pacific is deeply honoured to continue to be closely linked with one of Canada's first cavalry regiments," said CP President and CEO Fred Green, who met with soldiers of the Regiment late September during training exercises at CFB Wainwright. "CP is proud to take this next step with the Strathcona's Horse Regimental Society with this special partnership. We look forward to supporting the unique needs of these fine men and women who so proudly serve our country."
 
The multi-year agreement between Canadian Pacific and the Regimental Society includes the following:
 
·  CP will work with the Regimental Society to arrange technical exchanges to showcase work skills and creativity of both work forces;
 
·  Work with the Regimental Society to find ways to help the career transition of troops to civilian life, once they decide to retire from the Canadian Forces;
 
·  Provide scholarships for soldiers for transitional training to a non-military career, as well as post-secondary scholarships to encourage school-age children of soldiers to further their education;
 
·  Provide funding for programs and services to support various Society and military families' needs.
 
"Sir Donald Alexander Smith, more widely known as Lord Strathcona, drove the Last Spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway at Craigellachie, BC on 7 Nov 1885", said Major-General (Retired) H. Cameron Ross, Colonel-of-the-Regiment of the Strathcona's. "15 years later, in 1900, he invested his own money and raised a cavalry regiment for service in the Boer War in distant South Africa. Lord Strathcona could never have imagined that his regiment would, after 5 years of having a tank squadron on continuous combat duty in a faraway place, be joining in a partnership with his railway."
 
Major-General (Retired) Ross continued:  "Strathconas, both serving and retired, as well as their families, appreciate this very generous initiative of Mr. Green in strengthening the bond between CP and Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians). We are very grateful for the valuable opportunities that this will provide our soldiers and their families. We feel privileged to be part of a partnership, based on a common grandfather, which brings together our similar sense of service to country."
 
Green added:  "CP will also encourage others in corporate Canada to increase their awareness of the role and accomplishments of Canada's armed forces, the unique skills and experiences that members of the Canadian Forces possess, and the unique needs that result for the individual soldiers and their families. By working with the Regimental Society, CP hopes to set an example and make a positive impact on the lives of serving soldiers, those returning from duty, and during their transition to civilian life."
 
About Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) Regimental Society
 
In 1974, the need for an organization dedicated to the preservation of the history and traditions of Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) Regiment was realized. The Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) Regimental Society was formed under the Societies Act of Alberta with the following objectives:
 
·  Fostering and supporting the Strathcona Family;
 
·  Facilitating communications within the Strathcona Family;
 
·  Protecting and enhancing the heritage of the Regiment;
 
·  Providing selected assistance to enhance morale, develop skills, shape culture, and connect with Canadians;
 
·  Assisting and leading, where appropriate, special events.
 
Visit the Society's website at:  www.strathconas.ca