Mrs.
Glaister
[LCol Debney’s Daughter],
Distinguished
Guests,
Ladies
and Gentlemen:
It
has often been said that a Reservist
is twice a citizen. Reservists not
only participate in their communities
as students and in their work and
family life; they also choose to serve
and protect their country.
I
am thus very pleased to be here today
on behalf of the Minister of National
Defence, the Honourable Art Eggleton,
to cut the ribbon at the new Debney
Armoury.
It’s equally an honour to welcome
you, the members of four proud Reserve
units, to your new home.
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It
is an impressive home. This building
houses the largest armoury in Western
Canada. To give one an idea of its
immense size, the armoury covers roughly
the same area as 60 mid-sized homes.
It
includes a large gun park and modern
communications facilities; also a
drill hall, modern classrooms, offices
and a large warehouse space. It features
too a modern kitchen for training
cooks and a garage for training mechanics
and maintaining vehicles.
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Location
was a top priority for the planners
who chose this building. As a result,
Reservists who live and work in the
south side of Edmonton now have easy
access to training facilities.
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Throughout our history, Reservists
have played an important military
role. From the earliest days of New
France, through the War of 1812, the
Great Wars of the 20th
century, to present-day peacekeeping
missions, Reservists
made an important contribution.
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They also play a key role in ensuring
that the Canadian Forces meet their
defence commitments -- both now and
in the future.
Reservists
remind us that it is our friends,
neighbours and family members who
work on behalf of us all to keep our
country secure and to make the world
a safer place.
It
is fitting then to name this building
for Lieutenant-Colonel Philip Lawrence
Debney, a citizen soldier whose service
set a memorable example for generations
of Reservists.
Lieutenant-Colonel
Debney was working as an engineer
in Western Canada when he joined the
Canadian Field Artillery in 1915.
During the First World War, he saw action on Europe's western front and in Russia.
After
the war, he returned to Edmonton and
joined the 49th Edmonton
Regiment (Militia), eventually becoming
Commanding Officer. When war broke
out again in 1939, LCol Debney led
a number of engineering units in both
Canada and Europe.
Following
the Second World War, he commanded
the newly formed 8th Field
Engineer Regiment and later became
the unit's Honourary Colonel.
You,
the members of the 8th
Field Engineer Regiment, can take
special pride in knowing that the
name chosen for this armoury honours
one of your own most distinguished
leaders.
Lt. Col. Debney's military
career was exceptional but it was
only one part of a life marked by
much accomplishment. As a civilian,
he worked as an engineer, first for
a number of railways in Western Canada,
and then for the City of Edmonton.
He
was also a founding member of what
eventually became the Association
of Professional Engineers, Geologists
and Geophysicists of Alberta -- and
for many years served as its registrar.
May
you, the Reservists who have inherited
Lt. Col. Debney's legacy, serve your
country in the same spirit. I wish
you all many years of good training,
productive service and enjoyment in
the Debney Armoury.
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