Retired Lieutenant-Colonel reflects on military service, Remembrance Day in the age of COVID-19

Retired Lieutenant-Colonel Lance Knox handed over command of the Sault’s 49th Field Regiment last year, but his love and devotion to the troops remains as strong as ever.

“What I miss is being with soldiers,” said Knox. “I thoroughly enjoyed interacting with soldiers from our regiment and anywhere. I found them to be professional, dedicated and enthusiastic.”

Knox was invigorated by that positive attitude every day he served. It’s a long record of service.

Knox joined the reserves at the age of 16 and spent 42 years wearing the uniform, including a stint in Afghanistan, which he volunteered for in 2010 at the age of 51.

A 2019 SooToday story said he is the only soldier in the history of the 49th Field Regiment to rise from gunner to Lt.-Col.

Remembrance Day takes has a heightened significance for Knox, whose wife Pattie also served and whose son is currently in the regiment.

Because of COVID, this year’s ceremonies will be scaled back with restrictions on public participation. There will be no community gathering at the Gardens, but there will be a small ceremony at the Cenotaph and an invitation-only gathering at the Legion.

Knox remains hopeful the community will remember through the poppy campaign.

“I expect the community will still support the poppy program. It really helps out the veterans,” he said of the annual campaign which is the Legion’s biggest fundraiser.

The need remains even with the dwindling numbers of Second World War vets. “Canada didn’t stop sending soldiers into harm’s way at the end of World War II,” he said.

Knox pointed to Korea, numerous United Nations missions and the potential dangers reservists face during training exercises.

Knox said he’ll be at the Legion on Nov. 11 and he will make an annual personal visit to the cemetery where he will put a poppy on the graves of some people he knows.

Last year, Knox was able to attend ceremonies in Ottawa, but he said nothing compares to the feeling he gets coming down the steps at the Gardens with the crowd clapping.

“It never fails to bring a tear to my eye,” he said.

Training and mentoring reservists was the Knox’s key task at the regiment. Soldiers are called on to serve in a wide range of duties that can include combat or humanitarian roles. For example, the Canadian military was called on to help nursing homes struggling with COVID. They were also put on standby if their help was needed to deliver supplies or enforce quarantine efforts.

“I think the training sets you up for success in whatever the mission is,” said Knox. He said basic skill sets such as organization, communication and leadership are transferrable to combat or humanitarian roles.

Becoming a better leader at home was the motivation behind Knox going to Afghanistan. While there, he served as captain and second in command with the Civilian Military Co-operation Team.

In addition to providing support to combat forces, the team worked with local Afghans to assess the needs of villages and connect them with required provisions.

Today, Afghanistan continues to struggle with violence and poverty, but Knox doesn’t think that means his mission failed. He believes he helped provide the Afghans with some useful tools to better their lives.

“One of the things you learn in the military is that you are responsible for your mission and doing a successful handover to the next person and for that I’m comfortable.”

Knox is also proud of a number of achievements at the regiment in Sault Ste. Marie.

He was able to get a new gymnasium up and running. He’s also praised the city which changed the street name near the regiment to Garrison Way.

A special feeling of pride overcomes Knox when he goes by the regiment and sees the Howitzers in front of the building. He thinks of all the soldiers and support staff who have served the 49th in some capacity.

“There are thousands of them in our community. I hope when they drive by, they get the same feeling of pride I do.”

The city recognized Knox for his achievements with the 2019 Medal of Merit Award. He still has not officially received it because of COVID.

“It was quite and honour. It was humbling,” he said of the award.

When he retired, Knox and his wife were anxious to do some travelling, but COVID came in the way of that as well.They managed to drive their trailer to the Gulf Coast and then over to Arizona before they had to stop and return to Canada.

“We saw some wonderful places and would love to go back.”