Phoebe Schneider (FHI 22-08) started working at Fort Henry in the summer of 2022. She remembers being part of the “post-COVID cohort of terrified Rookies who, with the help of a handful of excellent returning Seniors and Lance Corporals, rebuilt the Guard and – against all odds – brought tours, training, demonstrations, and even Sunset Ceremonies back to the Fort.”

It was a summer that has since gone down in the history books, telling the underdog story of an entire Guard beating the odds to present Sunset Ceremonies and historical interpretation to make even the fiercest former Guard very proud indeed. 

It also marked the Fort Henry Guard Foundation’s first presentation of the Commitment to Excellence Award, recognizing the critical role returning staff play in keeping the very best of FHG traditions alive.

Each August since then, the donor-funded Commitment to Excellence Award has been presented to returning staff, and it’s been key to retaining leaders like Phoebe from summer to summer.

As Guiding Serjeant for the past two seasons, Phoebe says that the award is definitely an incentive to return. Last season she used it to pay for an entire month’s rent. And beyond helping with the tangible costs of living, she says, “the award also serves as a reminder that working at Fort Henry has changed my life. The Fort is a special place to spend a summer, but returning for subsequent seasons is what makes it an incomparable experience.”

Phoebe says, “The award is a live symbol and loud message that former Guard care about us. People who have marched the same sequences, fired the same rifles, and worn the same uniforms understand how much work we put in throughout the season, and they want to thank us for it.”

Phoebe touches on that important sense of belonging to describe the special meaning behind the award. “A ‘Huzzah, Guard!’ during a Sunset Ceremony means so much more than general applause, and the Commitment to Excellence Award further develops this lifelong community and the sense that former Guard are looking out for us.”

Over the past three years, the FHG Foundation has awarded more than $60,000 to returning Guard, thanks to the generous support of so many former members like you.  On this Giving Tuesday, I hope you’ll join me and many of the friends you once marched beside in making a donation to keep the award going in 2025.

DONATE TODAY!

We can’t wait to see some familiar faces back on the square next summer!

With thanks,

Michael Murphy, FHG 2231

President, Fort Henry Guard Foundation, Inc.

David “Dave” Perreault, FHG 1930, passed away suddenly on September 18 at the age of 41.  Dave joined the Guard in 2003, and was a licensed carpenter with the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board for several years.  Dave had joined the Tech Ed Program at Queen’s with the goal of becoming a trades teacher, and was well known for his humour, kindness, and friendship.

We extend our sincere condolences to Dave’s wife Jillian, and their children Jack and Josephine, on their loss.

Obituary:  Wartman Funeral Home

We are saddened to learn of the passing of Joseph Adrien Auger Langlois, FHG 403 on June 17 at the age of 86.  “Tic” joined the Guard in 1959, and had a long and distinguished teaching career.  He is remembered in particular for his dedication to sports, and he coached student athletes in several sports, including football, track and field, volleyball, gymnastics and curling.  In 2019, he was inducted into the Kingston and District Sports Hall of Fame.  He also served on the Board of the Fort Henry Guard Club of Canada from 2008 to 2013.

We extend our sincere condolences to Adrien’s family and friends.

Obituary:  The Kingston Whig Standard

The annual Fort Henry Guard Awards Night will take place on Tuesday, August 27 at 7:00 pm at Fort Henry’s Great Hall.  One of the Guard Club’s signature events, the members of the year’s Fort Henry Guard and staff from Fort Henry will gather to celebrate the accomplishments of their friends and colleagues.

A PDF copy of the program for this year’s event can be found here:  FHG Awards Night Program 2024

We wish all of this year’s nominees the best of luck, and congratulate them on a fantastic summer.  And special thanks to all of the donors who contributed to the awards this year – your generosity is much appreciated by all.

The Annual General Meeting of the Fort Henry Guard Club of Canada will be held on Tuesday, August 27 at 4:30 pm. This year’s AGM will use a hybrid format, and members can either participate in person at the Fort Henry Great Hall or on-line via Zoom.

You can register for the event by clicking here. We will send out the agenda, reports, and Zoom link to all who have registered in advance of the AGM. All FHGCC members in good standing are eligible to attend.

Please be advised that special resolutions will be considered at this year’s Annual General Meeting, to bring the Club into compliance with the new Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, as advised by the Club’s solicitor. Whether you are able to attend the AGM or not, you may access PDF versions of the special resolutions by clicking each of the links below. If you have any questions or comments about the resolutions, please contact me at president.fhgcc@gmail.com

  1. Special Resolution Authorizing Articles of Amendment
  2. Special Resolution Authorizing Transition Memorandum
  3. Special Resolution Authorizing Amendments to the By-laws
  4. Special Resolution Authorizing Head Office
  5. Special Resolution Authorizing Number of Directors

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Michael Murphy, FHGCC President

FHG 2231

Some talk of Alexander, and some of Hercules, but these days there’s none that can compare with the dedicated students who comprise the Fort Henry Guard of 2024. 

The Drums, Squad, and Domestic Interpreters are filling Fort Henry with the familiar sounds of fifes and drums, rifle and artillery fire, school bells and voices of command. The first performance of the summer is just a week away.

Speaking of Hector and Lysander, the rebuilding of the Guard has been no small effort on the part of the SLPC and Fort management. And the FHG Foundation has provided meaningful support through the Commitment to Excellence Award, which recognizes the hard work of the dedicated students who have returned to take on leadership roles. 

Thanks to donations from many former Guard, the Foundation has awarded close to $35,000 to returning staff over the past two years. I can’t tell you how proud I felt when we surprised the 2022 Guard with these cash awards at the annual awards night, and how much of a difference it made in retaining experienced staff in 2023. 

Won’t you help us continue to recognize the vital efforts of these young leaders by supporting these awards again in 2024?

And, your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar by a generous former Guard (and proud member of the Squad), up to a total of $8,000! Thanks to their lead gift and your donation, the staff who came back to the Fort this summer will know just how steady we Old Guard are in our support.

To have your donation doubled, please choose one of the payment options outlined on our Donate page.  And remember that you’ll receive a 2024 tax receipt for your donation. 

Every contribution, large or small, helps sustain the tradition of excellence that has existed at Fort Henry for decades. Thank you for giving today!

With a tow row row…

Chris Dearlove, FHG 1692

Director, Fort Henry Guard Foundation

Mark Staveley recently made a special presentation at Seattle’s Fire Station 37, and he invited us to share a copy of his speech.  Mark (FHG 1655) was a member of the Guard in the 1990s, and last October, he had a sudden cardiac arrest while walking between Amazon buildings in downtown Seattle.  His story is quite remarkable, and we’re so happy that Mark is doing well and wanted to share this with members of the Guard Club.

Mark Staveley presents an FHG challenge coin to Firefighter Jay Roughton.  Photo:  Firedog Photos

Good morning members of Seattle Fire.  Please allow me to introduce myself, my name is Mark Staveley and I am a Sudden Cardiac Arrest Survivor.  I was saved by members of Seattle Fire on October 24th 2023 who responded to the 911 call that was made on my behalf, as I collapsed in the street walking between Amazon buildings at the close of my workday.

Firefighter Jay Roughton was the first on the scene, and he quickly realized that the initial call diagnosis of head injury and possible overdose was incorrect.  I was agonal breathing and life-saving CPR was initiated – upgrading my call to a MED7.

I am here speaking with you today in part as a sudden cardiac arrest survivor, but also as a former member of the Fort Henry Guard.  Founded in 1938, the Fort Henry Guard is a ceremonial guard unit that is based out of Kingston, Ontario, Canada. 

The Guard is renowned for how they bring to life the military drill and tactics of the mid-1800’s.  The Guard has performed at numerous events and ceremonies in Canada and abroad since its founding, most notably the Royal Tournament in England, and with the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, the Commandant’s Own Drum and Bugle Corps, and Battle Color Detachment at Marine Barracks 8th and I in Washington D.C. 

The cross-border military friendship between the Fort Henry Guard and the United States Marine Corps started in 1954 as both units were brought together to honor the Ogdensburg agreement that was signed in 1940. The Ogdensburg Agreement was a document signed in 1940 by President Roosevelt and Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King, binding Canada and the United States committing to the joint defense of North America. 

Since then, the special friendship between the Fort Henry Guard and the United States Marine Corps has grown.  There are regular cross-border trips between Fort Henry and Marine Barracks Washington D.C. where these two units parade together. 

One of my most significant memories of my time in the Guard was being on parade and inspected by General Mundy who was the 30th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. 

You may not realize this, but I’m not the only one here today with a connection to the United States Marine Corps.  Firefighter Jay Roughton was a Sgt with the United States Marine Corps, 1st Marine Division.

I was kind of blown away when I found this out, as a former member of the Fort Henry Guard and knowing the special bond that we have with the United States Marine Corps, and to then to have my life saved by a Marine was an extra level of connection and significance that wasn’t lost on me.

Like many different military units, the Fort Henry Guard has various traditions.  One of these traditions is to issue a Fort Henry Guard Challenge Coin to each member of the Fort Henry Guard.  On one side is the Fort Henry Guard regimental crest, and on the other side is the person’s Guard Number. 

Normally, the only way to get one of these coins is to be a member of the Fort Henry Guard.  However, I talked to the Fort Henry Guard Club about my story.  Explaining how my life was saved by Jay and his connection to the United States Marine Corps.  An exception was made, and a second Fort Henry Guard coin was issued with my Guard number on it for Firefighter Roughton. 

On behalf of the Fort Henry Guard, and the Fort Henry Guard Club I would like to present this coin to Firefighter Roughton, and extend to you their sincerest and most heart-felt appreciation for saving my life.

Photo: Firedog Photos

Please be advised that the Fort Henry Guard Club of Canada’s Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 4:30 pm.  As with previous years, members can participate in person at Fort Henry’s Great Hall, or online via Zoom.  Registration details will be shared shortly.

For a copy of this year’s FHGCC nomination list, please click here.