ALL Things Canadian – An Open Column For Writers of Storytime Tapestry to Write about Canada

July 6, 2008

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"No nation can send a more precious resource to help a people in need than the young men and women who wear their nation's uniform," Rick Hillier 2004.

Rick Hillier, the Soldier’s Soldier has retired as Canada’s Chief of Defense Staff (appointed in 2005).  The outspoken 52-year-old military man defines his life passion as, “ I just wanted to be a soldier,” and thus begat three decades of military excellence. 

Newfoundland born Hillier joined the military immediately after graduating from Memorial University, and immediately upon retiring from military service former general Rich Hillier was appointed the new chancellor of Memorial University in Newfoundland.

General Rick Hillier has been hailed as Canada’s “top soldier”, outspoken gutsy and bold, General Hillier loves his country and loves his military.  Hillier has extensive experience serving in Canada, United States and Europe.  In 2004 he was appointed commander of the Multinational mission in Afghanistan commissioned by NATO.

Under Hillier’s command Canada transformed from its usual role as a peacekeeping country to a fighting combat machine in Kandahar Province in Afghanistan.

“Hillier leaves behind a reinvigorated military, which had suffered from years of neglect by Ottawa. Canada's military is receiving big-ticket hardware, from transport planes to armoured trucks and unmanned drones.”

Canada’s mission in Afghanistan will end in 2011, the strategic planner, General Walter Natynczyk has assumed the role of Chief of Defense Staff and will continue the legacy General Rick Hillier has started.

General Walter Natynczyk served for 33 years in the military and was Hillier’s second-in-command. He was in charge of the extensive reorganization of the Canadian military.

Natynczyk is quoted as saying,

“What our soldiers are seeing on the ground right now is the Afghan army are stepping up, the Afghan leadership are taking ownership," he said. "Those are huge steps. We should not underplay them."

Both Natynczyk and Hillier gave tribute to the Canadian soldiers who have been killed or wounded serving in Afghanistan.

"I leave energized by the soldiers who were wounded," said Hillier, acknowledging many who were in the audience. "They are my heroes."

Sources:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2008/06/26/hillier-chancellor.html?ref=rss

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/hillier/