PPCLI without Lady Patricia

The Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry has chosen a new Colonel-in-Chief after more than thirty years with the eighty-three-year-old Lady Patricia Brabourne, Countess Mountbatten of Burma. It's Adrienne Clarkson:

“The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson has always been interested in welfare of the men and women of the Canadian Forces during her time as Governor General and I believe she is an excellent choice for the first Canadian Colonel-in-Chief for the PPCLI,” said Defence Minister O’Connor. “We deeply appreciate the more than 30 years of support Lady Patricia gave the PPCLI and the Canadian Forces.”

“I am deeply honoured to become the Colonel-in-Chief of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and the first Canadian Colonel-in-Chief in the Canadian Forces. Having visited the Regiment in garrison and in the field, I know their mettle and I am proud to be a part of their Regimental family,” said the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson.

Some, including me, have derided Clarkson as a Governor General for her seemingly elitist attitude to her office and its influence. But the one aspect of her tenure that consistently impressed me was her devotion to her role as Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces. She spent significant time with troops in the field. And if the PPCLI want her as Colonel-in-Chief, that should tell you something right there.

Congrats to Ms. Clarkson and the PPCLI.