June 11, 2004 OTTAWA - Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, will take part in the Trooping the Colours Ceremony of the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR), on Saturday, June 12, 2004, at 10 a.m. on Parliament Hill. The ceremony will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Hill 187 during the Korean War. The battle actually took place 51 years ago in 1953, but is being commemorated now because the 3rd battalion was on a mission to Afghanistan last year. The ceremony will also highlight the unit's more recent accomplishments. As Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces, the Governor General will deliver remarks and inspect the regiment, which has just returned from Afghanistan. Governor General Clarkson met the unit's members when she visited with troops in Afghanistan in December 2003. Historically, the trooping of the colours was a daily event for members of the military. The flag, representing a regiment's colours, was trooped past the men to ensure that they would be able to recognize their colours, which could be used as a rallying point in the chaos of battle. Consequently, the colours came to express the spirit of the regiment and were held in the highest regard. Over time, the regimental colours have taken on a greater significance. The Battle of Hill 187, during the Korean War, occurred in May of 1953, when a battalion of Chinese infantry attacked C Company of the 3rd Battalion, RCR's defensive position. The battle lasted eight hours and C Company was able to maintain occupation of Hill 187. The 3rd Battalion lost 25 soldiers in the fight. The Royal Canadian Regiment is Canada's senior Regular Force Infantry Regiment. Formed in 1883, it has garrisoned communities from Halifax to Victoria and has served in virtually every military campaign undertaken by the country. WHO: Governor General Adrienne Clarkson WHAT: Trooping of the Colours Ceremony of the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment WHEN: Saturday, June 12, 2004, at 10 a.m. *In case of rain, the ceremony will be cancelled. WHERE: Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario -30- Media information Rideau Hall Press Office (613) 998-7280, (613) 993-8157, (613) 998-0287 www.gg.ca Capt. Jean-Marc Mercier, Petawawa Public Affairs (613) 687-5511, ext. 6721
