PPCLI recognizes PPCLI Foundation board member’s contributions

September 1, 2020 - Tim Bryant, Western Sentinel

The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) and the PPCLI Foundation has recognized Shannon Parsons for his work in support of the PPCLI and PPCLI Foundation by presenting him with the PPCLI Regimental Certificate of Appreciation.

“It’s a fantastic recognition. I never expected it in the world,” Parsons said after receiving the certificate on July 30 in the presence of the Commanding Officers of 1^st Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (1 PPCLI) and 3 PPCLI, members of the board of the PPCLI Foundation, and several executives of the Edmonton business community. “It’s something that means a lot to me.”

Parsons’ involvement with the PPCLI and PPCLI Foundation ultimately came about through his personal friendship with Major Kevin Barry, he said. Maj Barry was someone he looked up to, but there was a bit of a disconnect when trying to fully understand what the military is and does.

“I always hoped I got a little insight into what was going on,” Parsons said of the talks they would have around the campfire over the years.

After several of those talks, Maj Barry reached out to Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) Malcolm Bruce with the PPCLI Foundation to let him know of Parsons’ interest in the PPCLI and his desire to help the soldiers and veterans of the regiment.

The men had lunch, and discussed what the PPCLI had done in its history, and how many Canadians were in the dark about that history.

“‘How come there’s not a national story about the Patricia’s?’” LCol (Retd) Bruce recounted Parsons asking.

That discussion over lunch, and the questions Parsons asked, prompted LCol (Retd) Bruce to invite Parsons to join the PPCLI Foundation board. Once on the board, Parsons began working to both help the PPCLI Foundation do its best work, as well as help promote the PPCLI and what it is and does.

There were three major actions Parsons undertook to promote that aim.

The first was to secure office space in Stantec Tower, where Parsons had previously worked as Vice President – Environment with Stantec. The office space was crucial, explained LCol (Retd) Bruce, as it better established the PPCLI Foundation as wholly separate from the in-uniform part of the PPCLI.

Parsons’ second action was to work to bring people to visit the regiment to learn more about it first-hand.

The final action was to conceive and launch the annual For the Soldier Breakfast to “raise and elevate the Patricia’s’ visibility, brand and reputation,” LCol (Retd) Bruce said. The breakfast has successfully run for two years, and aims to bring Edmonton-area influencers into the PPCLI’s network.

Colonel Derek Prohar, who earlier in the week had relinquished his Regimental Colonel duties, was on hand to present Parsons with the certificate.

After the ceremony, he explained why the regiment had chosen to recognize Parsons’ actions.

“From a regimental perspective, it’s important in order to keep those ties with our civilian counterparts,” he said, adding the public often doesn’t fully understand what the military does, while also acknowledging the military itself can be insular and not reach out to the public.