12593 Ld Strath pgs spr04 - Lord Strathcona's Horse

Regimental Museum ReportWell it’s been just over a year since Icame to the Museum and I’m just startingto get a feel for what is here and what canbe done. This has probably been my busiestyear in the Military.In the last few months we have completeda trial school program with the trailer,started new displays in the Regimentallines and given about a hundred toursthrough the gallery. The most entertainingtour was the one we didn’t give. The Regimentcame down two Squadrons at a timeon two successive days. Obviously there isno way to give tours to that many people intwo hours so we made a “scavengerhunt” type of questionnaire on lesserknown facts “LKF” located in the gallery.These questionnaires were completed at atroop level.The trailer originally built for the hundredthanniversary in 2000, it sat for a numberof years in the Regimental lines. By thekind graces of Mr Art Hazle of LeasewayTrucking the trailer was moved to Calgary.We rebuilt it and started to look forways to use it solve the biggest problem inthis Museum, attendance. Although theMuseum of the Regiments (MOR) hasbeen in Calgary for over 10 years, few Calgariansseem to know about it. Our solutionto this problem was to take the trailer to asmany varied venues as possible in anattempt to increase awareness of the MOR.The theory was that people through thedoor of the MOR, were people through ourdoor.During the period 1 July 2003 to 1 Nov2003 we had 4825 visitors to the trailer. Toaccomplish this we spent a week in a mallparking lot, two weeks at Spruce Meadows,then two weeks conducting a trialprogram with the MOR EducationDepartment concluding with one week inthe Regimental lines. The trial school programwas by far the most successful. Theprinciple (pardon the pun) behind thisendeavour was that the schools in Calgary,like everywhere else, are dealing withdecreasing budgets; if they can’t afford tocome to the museum on a field trip thenwe’d bring the field trip to them. All thenormal programs offered at the Museumwere also offered at the schools using aportable hands on “kit”, lap-tops and LCDprojectors for verbal presentations, and ofcourse the trailer for gallery tours. Thisprogram was a smashing success; theteachers and students loved it. The onlydrawback, from our standpoint, was thetime spent away from the Museum whilesetting up the trailer and running the program.The program has been turned over tothe MOR to continue or not at their discretion.We will continue to use the trailer atthe other venues.When the Guidon was moved from theentrance of the Regimental lines to theMariner Room, the front display case wasempty and the opportunity presented to fillit with historic displays. We started with adisplay on the Boer War, and have sinceupdated to one on World War One. Thisdisplay is due to be replaced some time inApril in favour of a World War Two display.Using these displays we have beenable to show off some of our Regimentalartefacts and teach a bit of history to theRegiment and anyone else who enters thebuilding.WO Ted MacLeod, CDCuratorTheFinalInspectionThe soldier stood and faced GodWhich must always come to pass.He hoped his shoes were shiningJust as brightly as his brass.Step forward now you soldier,How shall I deal with you?Have you always turned the othercheek?To My Church have you beentrue?The soldier squared his shouldersAnd said, No Lord I guess I ain’tBecause those of us that carrygunsCan’t always be a Saint.I’ve had to work most Sundays,And at times my talk was tough.And sometimes I’ve been violent,Because the world is awfullyrough.But, I never took a pennyThat wasn’t mine to keep…Though I worked a lot of overtimeWhen the bills just got too steep.And I never passed a cry for help,Though at times I shook with fear.And sometimes, God forgive me,I’ve wept unmanly tears.I know I don’t deserve a place,Among the people here,They never wanted me aroundExcept to calm their fear.If you’ve a place for me here,Lord,It needn’t be so grand.I never expected or had too much,But if you don’t, I’ll understand.There was a silence all around thethroneWhere the Saints had often trod.As the soldier waited quietly,For the judgment of his God.Step forward now, you soldier,You’ve borne your burdens well.Walk peacefully on Heaven’sstreets:You’ve done your time in HELL.To all who Serve.(Author Unknown)Three of the 4,825 visitors to the Museum Trailer.Page 6Strathcona’s Newsletter