Lieutenant Colonel Thomas E.C. MacKay, CD
The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada

CO’s MESSAGE – FALL 2007

MIXED EMOTIONS

I have always been extremely proud of the soldiers who I have had the privilege to serve with in The Black Watch (RHR) of Canada, none more so than those who have been twice the volunteer and signed up for a tour of duty overseas. It was with mixed emotions though that I looked over the latest group to put their civilian lives on hold so that they may serve their country in Afghanistan. While I am supremely confident that they are ready for the challenges ahead and that they will continue the fine tradition of all Black Watch soldiers who have gone before them, I cannot help but worry for their safety and well being. I then look upon their families who have to wait by their phones and PCs in hope for a call or an email and I worry for them too. The families who feel guilty every time they breath a small sigh of relief that the latest casualty is not their own. The families who wear their pride but also their concerns as clearly as their sons are wearing their eagerness to get going.

On Saturday June 16, 2007, the Regiment hosted a family BBQ for all members of the regimental family so that we could come together and show our support for the ten Black Watch members heading for Afghanistan over the coming weeks. The event was extremely well attended and the mid-June weather was perfect for a BBQ. With the gracious support of the MacDonald-Stewart Foundation and the Stewart Museum, we were able to hold the BBQ on the beautiful grounds of the Old Fort on Ile Ste-Helene. The RSM was able to procure his standard lamb and pig for the BBQ spit and with the help of some NCOs with strong backs, began the slow but delicious process of cooking the animals over open coals very early Saturday morning. The bar was well stocked with draft beer and soft drinks and a second BBQ was fired up to cook hamburgers and hot dogs for the kids. Overall, the food and drink were bountiful and the kinship warm.

The RSM and I took advantage of the occasion to meet with the families of our soldiers deploying to Afghanistan and introduce them to some of our members recently returned from Kandahar. The goal of the meeting was to reassure them that they would not be wanting for support while their loved ones are away and to give them an opportunity to meet each other and know that they are not alone in their concern. It was especially helpful to have family members of our returned soldiers and officers present to give tips on how to cope with the separation. While the safe return home of their sons and husbands is the only thing that will fully relieve their anxiety, I felt reassured that a lot of the worried frowns at the beginning of the day were converted to smiles by the end of the day.

No BBQ would be complete without some games and activities. The most popular activity of the day was without a doubt, the dunk tank. As CO I dutifully volunteered (with much prodding from the DCO) to be the first victim. No sooner had I climbed aboard the precarious perch above a somewhat cold tank of water than the same DCO who had enthusiastically encouraged me, took aim and struck the target straight and true with a baseball. I could barely utter my first taunting phrase before I found myself at the bottom of the tank. A line up soon formed to ‘dunk the CO’ and I spent a very soggy half hour watching my loyal soldiers do their best to send me for another swim. Several other key members of the Regiment including the DCO, RSM and CSMs followed me. The kids seemed to especially enjoy this game of dunk the grown-ups and soon many fathers found themselves at the mercy of their children, no doubt regretting ever teaching them how to throw a ball in the first place.

The whole day certainly exhibited all that is great about our regimental family and I am very glad that before our troops deployed to the stifling and harsh environment of Kandahar, they could enjoy a beautiful Canadian summer day surrounded by those who care for them the most. I would like to thank everyone who participated but especially the RSM for organizing the day and the Black Watch Association and the Black Watch Foundation for their generous support.