"The Soldier's Sword" - a great honour

[SBranson]

My father served 20 years in the Canadian Armed Forces so I grew up surrounded by the military. I went to the recruiter at 19 and they told me to finish university and then come back to see them.. I never did... and still I wonder about that decision.

A couple months ago, I was contacted by a serving Lt.Col. from the 3 PPCLI, the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. He is retiring May 22nd and wanted to put together an award ...

"I would like to have (a gladius) as the center piece of a presentation to my Regiment on retirement – it will be called the (Soldier’s) Sword and it would be presented annually to the Soldier who best exemplifies the Warrior spirit and the basic Infantry skills of fitness, fieldcraft and marksmanship. "

I was instantly taken by the idea and extremely honoured by the request. We exchanged emails about style of sword and about carving an emblem of the Battalion into the pommel piece, the "VP" standing for "Victoria Patricia".

A couple weeks ago I finished the sword and sent it to Alberta. Just last night I received pictures of the mounting and the first presentation of the award was supposed to be last night. For security reasons, there may not be any photos of the actual ceremony but if there are I look forward to posting them.

It is a very great honour and I am very proud to be a part of this.

The mounting.

The back.

 

[SBranson]

reserved pending ceremony

 

[RogerP]

What a terrific project, Stuart - that must have been extremely rewarding. The sword is most impressive.

Roger

 

[John White]

Marvelous, Stuart,

May the names and the soldiers live on with this sword.

John

 

[Lorien]

way to go buddy!

 

[Jos]

Nice gladius, beautiful handle!

Kind regards,

Jos

 

[Justin King]

What a cool project, thanks for sharing it with us!

 

[ScottRoush]

beautiful gladius Stuart and great project.

I'm actually helping out a local high school kid make a gladius out of traditionally made steel for a school project.....

 

[Geode]

Great story, Stuart. An honor indeed to make such a fine sword. You nailed the spirit of the gladius.

 

[SBranson]

Thanks very much. I received a couple photos from the Lt.Col.

 

[peterinct]

CONGRATS Stuart! That is a great project.

Peter

 

[Matthew Gregory]

What an incredible honor, and such a great thing to participate in - good on ya, Stuart!!!!

 

[Calhoon]

Good for you Stuart! You have every reason to be proud....

 

[Paul Savage]

Great Job Stuart. Its good that recognition is given those that serve.

 

[Samuel Lurquin.]

hello

this project is really great
you have reason to be proud, you did a fantastic job

I love your gladius, a weapon of the warrior
congratulations to you for this nice work and for this wonderful honor

respect
Sam

 

[Patrice Lemée]

Talk about a rewarding project.
Thanks for sharing Stuart.

 

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

That looks great! I'm not positive, but I think my co-workers husband is in the picture you provided. I will have to find out if they are keeping it where the public can see it so perhaps I can view it in person.

 

[SBranson]

Thanks very much!

Lt.Col. Drew is to be praised for creating the award, one that will continue to honour the service and excellence of the soldier.

For me, the thought that this award will hang in their hall, will be awarded to those who credit the Regiment and as center has a sword from my hand.....
I'm not sure how to finish that sentence.
As I think of the life of the award, the continuance and permanence of it, and above all it's significance, I am ever so thankful to have been a part. I have often wondered if the military was my missed calling and has always been the "what if" path that I did not take. In some ways this feels like validation, or maybe redemption...