By Adam Donnelly

Kamloops army reserve unit welcomes new commanding officer

Sep 17, 2018 | 12:23 PM

KAMLOOPS — On Saturday, the Canadian Forces presence in our community was strong, as the Rocky Mountain Rangers held a formal parade. The event was held to welcome a new commanding officer to the unit while recognizing the work of his predecessor.

Lieutenant Colonel Amadeo Vecchio received the unit’s colours from Honorary Colonel Judith Guichon before signing the transfer of command papers. Since 2014, the Rangers have been under the command of Lt. Col. Normand Dionne, who spent 37 in the Canadian Army, before taking over the local reserve unit.

“In ’14, I took my retirement from the reg force and I transferred to the reserves, and I saw that as a perfect transition period,” Dionne told CFJC News after the ceremony finished. “Then I was working five days a week, and as a reservist, I was part-time. I was slowly preparing for my retirement.”

In his speech at the ceremony, Dionne praised the Rocky Mountain Rangers as “first-class soldiers”. The Rangers are a Primary Reserve Unit in the 39 Canadian Brigade Group, which is British Columbia’s Reserve Force unit based in Vancouver.

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Colonel Paul Ursich is the commanding officer of the 39 CBG. He had nothing but praise for the job Dionne did in his time with the Rocky Mountain rangers.

“That 37+ years he spent in the regular force before he came here seasoned him in ways that are extremely rare,” Ursich said. “When [Dionne] into the brigade it was with high hopes, looking at what he brought to the table… Normand took to it like a duck to water. He quickly adapted to reserve realities, and used all of his energy and talent to shepherd the unit through a fairly busy last couple of years.”

Vecchio said he has “tall shoes to fill” in replacing Dionne; according to Ursich, he was the best man to fill the role.

“Lt. Col. Vecchio has balanced his civilian career with his military career which can be quite challenging. Both want everything you have to give,” Ursich said. “[That] reflects not just a level of professionalism, but an actual commitment to his unit, and the people in it, and the regiment and the history of that regiment which have really pushed him forward and driven him where he is today.”

Vecchio says he’s humbled by the opportunity to take command of a unit he’s been a part of for so many years.

“I had a moment of reflection when looking at the photos of former commanding officers,” Vecchio told CFJC Today. “You have to continue the legacy. These gents are looking down at you.”