A flag was raised over city hall Monday, March 24 to mark the start of Rocky Mountain Rangers Week in Prince George.
Mayor Simon Yu was joined by Prince George-Valemount MLA Rosalyn Bird to raise the flag.
Also on hand were Dan McLaren, founding president of the Rocky Mountain Rangers Regimental Association, city manager Walter Babicz, councillors Susan Scott and Trudy Klassen and members of the Rangers.
The Rangers are a BC-based Canadian Army primary reserve infantry regiment that recruits in Northern BC and the Interior.
It's headquartered in Kamloops and has a rifle company in Prince George.
During a presentation to Prince George city council at its evening meeting later that day, commanding officer Lt.-Col. Torry White connected via Zoom to provide an update on the regiment’s activities with McLaren and Harvey Smerchynski also representing the rangers in person.
White explained that primary reservists, like those serving with the Rocky Mountain Rangers, receive the same training at the same facilities as regular soldiers.
Soldiers from the regiment have served in conflicts like wars in Afghanistan and Bosnia, he said.
Typically, White said, members are asked to train one night a week with occasional weekend exercises.
In 2025, White said, the regiment will be participating in exercises in Chilliwack, Williams Lake, Valemount and Yakima, Wash.
On March 29, the rangers are hosting an open house at the Meadows Armoury at 687 Dornbierer Cres. to teach people about what serving is like and provide information about how people can sign up.
The commanding officer also advocated for local businesses to hire current and former reservists, citing their experience and training as benefits in the workplace.
After the presentation, Yu said he hoped that Canada would fulfill its military spending commitments as a part of NATO after the upcoming federal election.
In response to a question from Coun. Cori Ramsay, who said she was a former sea cadet, White said the regiment has strong relationships with local cadet groups.
With files from Colin Slark
