The Fort Henry Guard Club of Canada and St. Lawrence Parks Commission announced that the distinguished Canadian engineer and community leader Annette Bergeron has been named the new Honorary Commander of the Fort Henry Guard. Ms. Bergeron will succeed Major-General Lewis MacKenzie, who has held the position since 2021.
A recognized national leader in the field of engineering, Ms. Bergeron has demonstrated an inspirational commitment to public service through leadership in the highest offices of her profession. She is a past president of Professional Engineers Ontario, the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers, and Engineers Canada, and a former chair of the board of the Electrical Safety Authority. An active contributor to the Greater Kingston community, she has served as chair of several committees at Kingston General Hospital and is a past General Manager of the Queen’s Alma Mater Society.
Ms. Bergeron has received numerous honours and awards for her contributions at the community, provincial, and national level. These include the 2023 Office of the Order of Honour for Professional Engineers Ontario, a 2020 Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers, a 2018 Fellowship at the Canadian Academy of Engineering, 2018 Ontario Volunteer Service Award, Top 25 Women of Influence-Canada, among many others.
“The Honorary Guard Commander plays an important role in inspiring and advocating for the Fort Henry Guard, and we are delighted to see such a strong leader taking on this role,” said Michael Murphy, President of the Fort Henry Guard Club of Canada. “On behalf of the former Guard who have worn the uniform during the past eighty-six years, I want to extend a warm welcome and hearty congratulations to Annette Bergeron as she becomes our sixth Honorary Guard Commander.”
“Fort Henry is proud to have Ms. Bergeron, a two-time Woman of Influence and champion of the city of Kingston join the Fort Henry Guard as its new Honorary Guard Commander,” said Geoff Waycik, Director of Historic Sites, St. Lawrence Parks Commission. “She brings with her a connection to the community that exemplifies the type of integrated role the Fort can play in this city and we look forward to benefitting from her leadership.”
A Change of Command ceremony will be scheduled early in Fort Henry’s 2024 summer season.
Past Honorary Guard Commanders:
- The position of Honorary Guard Commander of the Fort Henry Guard began in 1955 in recognition of General Lemuel C. Shepherd, then Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. General Shepherd was a significant force behind fostering the unique relationship between the Fort Henry Guard and the United States Marine General Shepherd was awarded Guard number FHG #1 and served as Honorary Commander of the Fort Henry Guard until his death on August 8, 1990.
- FHG #2 and former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Honourable Henry N.R. Jackman, became the second Honorary Commander of the Fort Henry Guard. He served in this capacity from 1992 until May 2003 and now has Guard Commander Emeritus status.
- The Honourable Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House of Commons and M.P. for Kingston and the Islands, FHG #3, served from 2003 to 2006 and also has Guard Commander Emeritus status.
- The Honourable Hugh Segal, who served in the Canadian Senate from 2005 to 2014, FHG #4, was Honorary Guard Commander from 2006 until 2020, and continued as Guard Commander Emeritus until he passed away last year.
- The outgoing Honorary Guard Commander, FHG #5, is Major-General Lewis MacKenzie. General MacKenzie served 36 years in the Canadian Armed Forces and received the Order of Canada and two Meritorious Service Crosses in recognition of his leadership and commitment to cooperation. General MacKenzie will continue to hold Guard Commander Emeritus status.
The full press release is available here.