Stoughton native and Canadian Forces member Matthew Miskolczi will spend the summer in the presence of thousands marking Canada's 150th anniversary in Ottawa. As part of this country's Ceremonial Guard, the gunner from Gagetown, New Brunswick-based 4th Artillery General Support Regiment will swap his regular uniform for the scarlet ceremonial regalia and bearskin of the Guard - the public face of Canada's military.
The 4th Artillery General Support Regiment - as part of the nation's 400-strong Ceremonial Guard - started their summer of ceremony on Sunday, June 25 at Ottawa's Rideau Hall, the official residence of Canada's Governor General. As Commander-In-Chief of the Canadian Armed Forces, Governor General David Johnston performed his annual inspection of the Ceremonial Guard, where they “paraded with precision and excellence,” according to a military spokesperson.
The Ceremonial Guard performs public duties in Ottawa each year from late spring until the end of August. Their duties include: mounting the Guard of Honour for the Governor General on Canada Day, posting guards at Rideau Hall and providing an overnight presence at the Governor General's official residence during visits by the Royal Family. Members of the Guard also provide sentries at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial, provide Guards of Honour for visiting heads of state and other dignitaries and participate in official functions in Ottawa.
Throughout the summer, visitors to Canada's capital will see the Ceremonial Guard - including Miskolczi - perform the daily Changing of the Guard Ceremony on Parliament Hill. From July 20-22, these members of the military also stage “Fortissimo” a military and musical performance which has drawn thousands of visitors to Parliament Hill since its start in 1997.
To learn more, check out 'Ceremonial Guard-Garde de ceremonie' on Facebook, or visit http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/ceremonial-guard
