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Military chief wows Winnipeg luncheon
General Walt Natynczyk (BRIAN J. GAVRILOFF / POSTMEDIA NEWS ARCHIVES)
General Walt Natynczyk, Canada's chief of defence staff, greets crowd at a luncheon today at the Fort Garry Hotel. (PHIL.HOSSACK@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)
General Walt Natynczyk, Canada's chief of defence staff, greets crowd at a luncheon today at the Fort Garry Hotel. (PHIL.HOSSACK@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)
Canada’s top soldier wowed a Canadian Club of Winnipeg luncheon today.
General Walt Natynczyk cracked jokes while pacing around an expansive ballroom and told the crowd how Canada’s military has dramatically changed over the last 35 years.
A former Winnipegger and Daniel McIntyre High School graduate, Natynczyk said Canada’s armed forces have evolved into an elite machine, the envy of the world and capable of tackling any assignment — be it in peace or on the battlefield.
Natynczyk said the terrorist attacks of 9-11 forced the Canadian military to adapt to the new times.
"We all realize how much more turbulent, how much more chaotic, how much more unpredictable the world has become," Natynczyk told reporters following his luncheon speech. "I’m very proud of the training, the discipline, of our men and women, in how we can adapt to various environments... The kind of ambiguity we face every day — that’s the norm."
Natynczyk’s plane was late getting into Winnipeg this morning, forcing him to miss lunch but he launched into a 36-minute speech without notes, constantly praising the men and women who serve in the military, those who have served, their families, and Canadians who enthusiastically support them.
From his opening comments, Natynczyk owned the crowd, delivering his comments with energy and humour that could earn him as a guest host on Ellen.
"Normally I introduce myself, whenever I go across Canada, as Walt from Winnipeg," Natynczyk said to enthusiastic applause. "It was only 35 years ago last month that I left Daniel Mac high school... and joined the military. Thirty-five years goes pretty quick and over that time the Canadian Forces has changed."
Natynczyk repeatedly made references to the soldiers he’s met and served with, telling war stories and even shared with the crowd a humourous exchange he had with Queen Elizabeth during this summer’s visit to Canada.
Natynczyk said he and his wife were seated with the Queen and Prince Phillip at a dinner in Toronto when she commented on the antics of some of his soldiers while on her tour.
"She said, ‘General, we have to talk. Your soldiers have been naughty.’" It turns out that while inspecting a unit, the Queen was told that the soldiers fed the unit’s mascot — a goat — a constant diet of cigarette butts.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve just sent the Queen a letter and four photos of (the goat) eating carrots and lettuce and radishes and so on."
History
Updated on Friday, September 10, 2010 at 4:14 PM CDT:
Adds details from speech and reaction
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