An announcement from Base HQ will be made at noon April 1 regarding the appointment of a popular Hollywood movie star to a prominent role on the Base.

Personnel with 2PPCLI and 1RCHA will attend the press conference expected to attract a horde of western Canadian media because of the status of the Canadian-born actor from British Columbia.

“Regarding this appointment, I’m thrilled to announce Kim Cattrall from Comox, BC, has accepted the appointment of honorary colonel of not just 1RCHA, but also 2PPCLI,” said visiting BGen Sloof Lirpa, who is in charge of recruiting honorary colonels for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). “We’ve been looking for a high profile Canadian to take on this role, and she’s been gracious enough to support not just one unit, but both units at CFB Shilo.”

Intending to take on a similar role with the RCAF at CFB Comox — the home she grew up in before moving to the United States to begin her acting career is adjacent to 19 Wing Comox — Cattrall chose the Canadian Army because of the histories associated with PPCLI and RCHA.

“Look at what the soldiers have done with the Patricia’s and the Gunners during the last century in different wars, and I thought it would be an honour to be their Honorary Colonel,” offered Cattrall while relaxing in BComd LCol Chris Wood’s office. “This is as big an honour to be asked as having my hand prints on the Hollywood Walk of Fame or winning an Emmy for playing Samantha on Sex and the City.”

For those not familiar with Cattrall’s work, the former Sex and the City star had her breakout movie role in a Canadian comedy called Porky’s, then earned praise from the Hollywood press for her roles in such films as Mannequin, Police Academy, My Boy Jack and Big Trouble in Little China.

On the occasion of this major CAF announcement, BGen Lirpa said CAF has a number of Hollywood stars with Canadian ties who are big supporters of the military, and are quick to add their support if approached like Bob Hope used to do with his tours in Korea and Vietnam.

“Ordinarily, I don’t get too excited about making announcements, but because I’m a big fan of Sex and the City, and especially Kim’s role as Samantha, I was equally honoured when asked if I would like to introduce her to the soldiers, and officers on this Base as part of the appointment,” said BGen Lirpa.

LCol Wood conceded his favourite Cattrall movie is the 2007 drama My Boy Jack based on David Haig’s 1997 play My Boy Jack, which also featured Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe playing Rudyard Kipling’s son Jack, and is set during the First World War.

“Seeing Kim arrive on the Base on the first day of April to represent both 2PPCLI and 1RCHA means a lot to the soldiers who call CFB Shilo home,” said 1RCHA CO LCol Joe O’Donnell. “Having visiting BGen Sloof Lirpa introduce Kim at noon out front of Base headquarters is an added bonus because he’s such a big fan of our Canadian actor.”