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Irish Regiment celebrates 100 years in style

When George Harrison (not to be confused with the famous Beatle of the same name) was a young man he joined the 2nd Battalion Irish Regiment of Canada to serve his country in the war effort abroad.
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Members of the 33 Canadian Brigade Group participated in a procession Sunday to commemorate its change of command at a ceremony at Tom Davies Square. Photo by Jonathan Migneault.
When George Harrison (not to be confused with the famous Beatle of the same name) was a young man he joined the 2nd Battalion Irish Regiment of Canada to serve his country in the war effort abroad.

Harrison, who is now 89, landed in Holland in 1944, at the tail-end of the Second World War.

“When I went over the fellas were saying, 'Here come the boy scouts,'” he said.

By the time he arrived in Holland most of the war's major battles had already concluded, but he was proud to represent Canada nonetheless, and be a part of Holland's liberation.
“I enjoyed my stay with them,” Harrison said. “I liked the army life.”

Harrison was one of the guests of honour – and one of two Second World War veterans – at an event Saturday night to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Irish Regiment of Canada.

Harrison travelled to Sudbury from Kapuskasing for the event, and said there was no way he could miss such a milestone.

“I'm very proud to be a member of the regiment,” he said.

The evening's guest speaker was retired Gen. Rick Hillier, former chief of the defence staff of the Canadian Forces.

True to his reputation as a charismatic speaker, Hillier shared colourful anecdotes about his time leading Canada's military, and focused his speech on the people who have inspired him most throughout his life.

Veterans like Harrison, and those who have served more recently in Afghanistan, topped Hillier's list of people who have achieved great things for their nation.

The next day, to honour the City of Greater Sudbury, and the Irish Regiment's 100th anniversary, the Canadian Forces held the change of command for the 33 Canadian Brigade Group at Tom Davies Square.

The 33 Canadian Brigade Group is a military formation made up of 16 Army reserve units – including the 2nd Battalion Irish Regiment of Canada – located throughout Ontario.

The change of command happens once every three years, and Sunday's event was the first time it had ever occurred in Sudbury.

Outgoing commander Col. Shawn Bindon, and Brigade Sergeant Major Chief Warrant Officer Mitch Hepburn stepped down, and handed over the command to Col. Patrick Kelly, and Chief Warrant Officer Derek Munroe, respectively.

The ceremony featured a military procession from brigade group members.

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Jonathan Migneault

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