William Crooks
Luc Tremblay, President of the Sherbrooke Hussars Association (SHA), Samuel Beaudette, Commanding Officer of the Sherbrooke Hussars, Sherbrooke MP Élisabeth Brière, and David W. Rothschild, former Colonel and current Administrator of the SHA, in the Milby Golf Course clubhouse Sept. 20. A golf tournament and dinner were held at the location, raising $13,500 for the SHA.
Golf tournament raises $13,500
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
Friends, family, veterans, and those currently serving in the local military gathered Sept. 20 at the Milby Golf Course for a tournament fundraiser that brought in $13,500 for the Sherbrooke Hussars Association (SHA). Bookended by a méchoui dinner, over 50 attended with the festivities and fellow-feeling continuing on into the night. Military members let The Record in on the latest happenings in the area: a change of command, an update on the two heritage buildings being renovated, and how recruitment is going overall.
Near the end of the dinner, SHA President Luc Tremblay thanked the more than 20 local organizations that leant their support and noted former Colonel and current SHA Administrator David Rothschild had a hand in liaising with many of them. The guest of honour, Sherbrooke MP Élisabeth Brière, then took over the microphone and addressed the audience.
After joking about her poor performance on the links and congratulating the winners, the team of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers’ Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Jean Janelle, Brière mentioned work was underway and going well on the two Sherbrooke heritage military buildings, the Belvédère Street and William Street Armouries. She congratulated serving members on their recent “historic” 20 per cent raise, which will allow them to better respond to their challenges home and abroad. “Thank you for your service,” she said. She was then presented with “Green Fields Beyond: The Story of the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment”, written by local author Daniel M. Braün.
Samuel Beaudette, recently-appointed Commanding Officer of the Sherbrooke Hussars, then spoke on the expanding numbers of the regiment and his optimism for its future. Janelle added in a later conversation that the Fusiliers’ numbers are up as well. After some post-pandemic changes to the regiment , the Fusiliers are now “healthy” and considered the “top in Quebec.” So many recruits are coming in it has become an issue to train them. Janelle speculated that new younger recruits are joining because they are watching the news and want to do something special for Canada. He praised the collaboration between Sherbrooke’s four units in meeting these challenges.
Rothschild emphasized how important the changing of the Hussars’ command was on Sept. 14. It took place at the regiment’s temporary 700 Woodward Street site. Beaudette replaced Lieutenant Colonel Paul Langlais in what Rothschild called a “very formal” and “important” ceremony. Participating were the local Fusiliers’ orchestra and many dignitaries including Brigadier General Stéphane Tardif and other “top brass.” Rothschild noted that Beaudette came all the way up through the ranks to his position, which is rare.
The Hussars’ Chief Warrant Officer Justin Dohler noted Commanding Officers (COs) typically serve three years, perhaps four under special circumstances. The appointment to CO follows a rigorous process and review from Ottawa, with preferential treatment for those having a connection to the history and current functioning of the regiment. A regiment CO oversees every aspect of their unit with a view to maintaining a high “readiness state.” “It’s his name at the end that ensures all is good,” Dohler said.
Former Hussars CO Colonel Louis-Benoît Dutil provided a few more details about the ongoing construction on the armouries. First, parts of the buildings are to be demolished. It is planned that shovels will not hit the ground for new construction until 2027. The buildings are estimated to be finished by 2031. Another large totally new related complex will be constructed in the area in addition to the renovations.