We are here tonight primarily to honour the HADC and to thank each of you for your service – it is much appreciated. It is, however, our custom as Coast Salish peoples to pause and offer prayer at the commencement of any gathering. The purpose is to give thanks for the past year’s success, but to also remember those members who did not return to this year’s gathering. Inspector Greg Funk is such a person who must be remembered. Gwen and I attended his memorial service in Prince George on January 10. We met his wife, his two daughters and his father. Many wonderful stories were shared by his close friends and family members. Let us now pause for a moment to reflect on his past service as an Honorary Aide-de-Camp.

I want to express my warmest welcome to the spouses this evening. As we all know, our time with family is precious, and that time is sacrificed for many things – for our jobs, for community service and many others. As the HADC gives of this precious time, so does the spouse indirectly give service to this Office. For this, both Gwen and I are very grateful. I would invite all of the HADCs to stand and toast the spouses in thanks for all that they do in support of our obligations.

The HADC is a voluntary position in service to the Lieutenant Governor of the day. This service is greatly appreciated as a very necessary component of what the Lieutenant Governor must do to carry out the many duties and obligations associated with the Office.

Last year all of you cheerfully carried out your duties with dignity and integrity. Since becoming an honorary captain of the Navy, I have received the full uniform. This process has brought home to me what must be an onerous task of cleaning, pressing of pants, shining of shoes, etc. – not to mention the preparation that you do before the event actually occurs to ensure that everyone is ready and on task for a successful event. Last year there were only a few times that I was behind time and for those times the fault was mine and mine alone! Herb has since taken remedial steps to prevent this in the future; time will tell if the new process will be effective or not.

There is one among us who, although on staff, works tirelessly, long into the evenings, on weekends and at whatever time I may call. He is a polished spokesperson for the Office who ensures that I make as few errors as possible and that I am provided with every possible thing or arrangement as required. Herb, thank you and please pass along my thanks to the staff as well.

Well, enough is enough. It’s time to feast and celebrate our togetherness, our collective company and enjoy the evening. Thank you.

LOCATION:1401 Rockland Avenue
Victoria, British Columbia
Canada V8S 1V9

PHONE:(250) 387-2080

FAX:(250) 387-2078

EMAIL:ghinfo@gov.bc.ca

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