Our Army family moves confidently into the new year
Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Lieutenant-General Andrew Leslie, Chief of the Land Staff (right) is greeted by Brigadier-General T.J. Grant, Commander of Joint Task Force Afghanistan, on his arrival at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, November 5, 2006.

As 2006 draws to a close, the Army can look back proudly on an outstanding year of accomplishment and service to Canada. As we contemplate the year ahead, we can expect great challenges and opportunities for us as soldiers, for the Army and for the country we serve.

The Army RSM and I want to wish you and your families the very best of the holiday season and for the year ahead. I hope that you will have the opportunity to enjoy some well-deserved time with your loved ones. You have certainly earned the respect and gratitude of your fellow Canadians.   
  

It is not easy to be far away from Canada during a time of year that always evokes warm feelings of home and family.

Our thoughts at this time of year always turn first to our fallen and their families. These soldiers paid the ultimate price to protect Canada and to help build peace and stability far from home. Their Army family will never forget their sacrifice and that of their families. We will hold a special place in our thoughts for them, as well as for those who have been wounded and injured while serving the nation.

Our thoughts then turn to those of you who will be serving abroad during this holiday season and to those who will miss you here at home. It is not easy to be far from Canada during a time of year that always evokes warm feelings of home and family; we value your service and await your safe return. 

Canadian soldiers are conducting themselves with great distinction in Afghanistan. Once again, you are demonstrating that the courage, dedication and soldiering skills of our Army are second to none.

Once again, you are demonstrating that the courage, dedication and soldiering skills of our Army are second to none.

Together, we have moved the Army forward during 2006. I thank you for your efforts. Change is sometimes difficult but given today's threats, it is imperative that we continue to improve all aspects of our force. We have consolidated many of the gains of Army Transformation. We are now able to conduct exercises at what is arguably the best army training facility in NATO. We continue to improve our equipment and fleets while identifying and quickly fulfilling requirements in Afghanistan.

The year ahead will present us with many challenges. Our priority will continue to be the operations in Afghanistan. We must also ensure that we are organized in a way that best allows us to generate combat effective land forces. We will reinforce our capability to defend Canada here at home and continue to change the Army even as we proceed with the very welcome growth in our ranks.

There are great demands on Canadian soldiers these days, but I urge you to take some time for yourselves and your families during the holiday season. We will meet the challenges of the coming year more effectively if we return to duty relaxed and refreshed.

The Army RSM and I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a happy, successful 2007.

Lieutenant-General Andrew Leslie
Chief of the Land Staff

and

Chief Warrant Officer Greg Lacroix
Army RSM