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Opening the Debney Armoury

Speaking Notes for

the Honourable David Kilgour

Member of Parliament for Edmonton Southeast

Secretary of State (Latin America and Africa)

at the  Debney Armoury Ribbon-Cutting

Edmonton, Alberta

May 19, 2001


Brigadier-General Fitch                                

[BGen Ed Fitch, Commander Land Forces Western Area],

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.

French- 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.            

French- 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.

French- 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.

French- 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.

  -30-

 
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