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They fought the pandemic Corporal Leo Douvinos of the Queen’s York Rangers has a chat with his commanding officer and Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell, who visited Fort York on August 31 to say “thank you.” As the honorary Colonel of the Regiment – a role that recalls John Graves Simcoe – she was there to recognize the soldiers who fought the pandemic. The military’s response to calls for help in Long-Term Care homes was named Operation Laser. A total of 237 soldiers of the Army Reserve from the Toronto area staged out of Borden, near Barrie, from the beginning of April to the middle of July. Units at Fort York Armoury deployed 51 soldiers: 22 Rangers, 19 from 32 Signal Regiment and 10 more from the Royal Regiment of Canada. In the group photo are the sergeant major, the commanding officer and nine of the Queen’s York Rangers who volunteered. Ms Dowdeswell’s visit reminds us that the Canadian Army’s active presence at Fort York National Historic Site continues up to the moment. Photos by Lt. Erica Palakovic, 32 Canadian Brigade Group
6 The Fife and Drum October 2020
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