Local militia to be celebrated in style at big event
Gala: Civilians will be able to attend party that's normally for military only
SAINT JOHN - Saturday night's Loyal Company Ball at the Delta Brunswick will kick off the city's 225th anniversary celebrations and recognize its longtime connection to the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, Canada's original artillery unit.
More than 500 area residents are expected to experience the full pageantry of this gala event, including past Hon. Lt.-Col. Neil McKelvey.
The event will showcase the pageantry of a military ball at a black tie gala for civilians, during which guests will have an opportunity to participate in an affair typically reserved for members of the armed forces.
As honorary lieutenant-colonel until last October - a position he held since 1992 - McKelvey was the community's connection to the military, an apt position for a man who became a passionate advocate since joining up during the 1940s when he was still in high school.
"The militia is a very important part of the community," McKelvey said.
"Most of the troops are students. It's very good training for them. We've had several people go to Afghanistan. The reserve supplies about 20 per cent of the troops in Afghanistan."
Nicknamed "The Loyal Company," the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment was created in 1793 in response to a threat of attack by privateers. It was the first artillery unit in British North America and the third-ever created in the British Commonwealth.
Throughout its history, the regiment's members have served in the War of 1812, both world wars, the Korean War and most recently as United Nations peacekeepers and as part of Canada's mission in Afghanistan.
McKelvey, who will be accompanied by his wife, Joan, will be in full Mess Dress, and period uniforms from the 1800s will be on display, along with historic military artifacts, including Freedom of the City scrolls from 1968 and regimental trophies that date back more than a century.
McKelvey, a lawyer, fired his last round as Gunner in Gagetown last weekend, wearing the sweater his wife knit for him that he wore in Holland during the Second World War.
McKelvey says he often thinks of those days, with one particular memory coming to mind time after time.
"I was in a unit that didn't do very much," he said.
"We were part of the flank of the Fifth Canadian Armoured Division. On the last night of the war, we were being shelled and we got in a bunker of a former German installation with all these shells falling around us," he said.
"Somebody jumped in and said, 'The war's over', and we said, 'Well, somebody should tell (the enemy) who are killing us that," he said, chuckling as he recalls that long-ago night.
"The next day the war was over and we sat inside Germany listening to everybody in London having a wonderful time."
After the war, McKelvey went to law school and joined the Third Regiment.
He has practised law for nearly 60 years now, and has served as president of the Canadian Bar Association and later, as president of the International Bar Association.
"I've always had an interest in the army, although there was a period when I left the militia in 1978 because I was too busy building up a law practice," he said.
Ball attendees will be treated to dinner and music by the Regimental Band, followed by dancing to the big swing band sounds of the Black Cats Orchestra.
"Since 1793, the Loyal Company has defended Saint John, so it is fitting that we are celebrating Canada's first artillery regiment during Saint John's 225th anniversary," Mayor Ivan Court said.
John Irving, Hon. Col. of 3rd Field Regiment RCA and president of Commercial Properties Limited, says the city and the regiment have, historically, had a positive association.
"We are proud to be the home of Canada's oldest artillery unit, and pay tribute to all of the local men and women of our military for their ongoing contributions as part of the Saint John 225 festivities," Irving said.
The 3rd Field Artillery Regiment will also participate in activities planned for May 18 - the anniversary of the signing of the City Charter, including a 21-gun salute fired at noon from Long Wharf in recognition of its long service and connection to the city.
A second 21-gun salute will be fired from Harbour Station at 7 p.m. the same day to signal the start of Saint John 225's free anniversary concert, which includes a salute to the regiment and performances by the Regimental Band.