Warrant Officer Sandy Parry, for the 2PPCLI Drumline, explained to attendees of the MFRC Military Family Appreciation Dinner on Sept. 14 the significance of his role as the drum major and uniform components. Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News
K-J Millar
Shilo Stag News
For the more than 351 attendees at the Military Family Appreciation barbeque on Sept. 14, the 2nd Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (2PPCLI) Drumline was a hit among LAV rides, weapons displays and free food.
The family, fun-filled event was hosted by the Military Family Resource Centre for individuals to familiarize themselves with a feature of vendors and organizations offering discounts and incentives for military families.
The appreciation dinner recognizes how spouses, children and families sacrifice to make contributions to support those serving in the military. It’s a heartfelt ‘thank you’ to the families standing by the serving members.
The drumline set the right beat at the evening function, with its eight members showcasing their skills and being available for questions after the demonstration.
Warrant Officer Sandy Parry said the drumline is a secondary commitment for members over and above their primary roles as infantry soldiers.
Parry is the drum major. The drum major is the only non-commissioned officer (NCO) saluted and only while carrying the mace.
“They are not necessarily saluting me, but rather the mace,” he explained.
The mace is a sacred symbolic staff the drum major carries. The names of all the regimental members who have died in service are within it. It is unknown how many names are written on the scroll held in the crown of the mace, but it was last opened in 2021 to add three more names, Warrant Office Parry said.
The mace is so sacred it does not get opened except under ceremonial circumstances. Parry said all though he is the keyholder to the display case the mace is guarded in, even he will not open the symbolic staff because it is so revered.
The red uniforms or “scarlets” the drumline wears are an acclamation of the traditional British colonial redcoats, he said.
“When you look at the cuffs, the cuffs designate the unit or organization. Each unit has a different cuff. We wear the French grey.”
The baldric — the ornamental belt draped over the drum major’s shoulder to carry a sword, lists all the battle honours from throughout time. Parry said all battle honours signified by the various colours or flags are listed on the baldric he wears.
“The reason I carry the sword is purely for protection of the mace … Protect the mace by any means,” he said of his duty as drum major.
The drumline members show their dedication with weekly practice on maintenance days for the whole day. The newest member has been with the drumline for more than a year.
“It’s fun,” the drum major said. “I’ve been a drummer since forever. For some guys, they come in [with no drumming experience], and we teach them from the ground up.”
Travelling is part of the drumline’s experiences.
“We had a drumline in Latvia when the guys went,” he said, adding they travel all over Canada. Each Remembrance Day, the drumline attends the Royal Canadian Legion in Jasper.
“Not only are we the only drumline in Shilo … but we are the only drumline right now in PPCLI,” Parry said. So technically, we are the only regimental drumline for the CAF (Canadian Armed Forces).”
Soldiers at CFB Shilo demonstrate weapons at the Military Family Appreciation Dinner on Sept.14 hosted by the MFRC. Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News
Soldiers at CFB Shilo demonstrate weapons at the Military Family Appreciation Dinner on Sept. 14 hosted by the MFRC. Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News
Members of the 2PPCLI drumline showed off their skills and made a hit at the Military Family Appreciation Dinner on Sept. 14 hosted by the MFRC. Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag News