Media Advisory - Her Excellency Sharon Johnston to be Appointed Honorary Captain (Navy)

OTTAWA, June 3, 2016 /CNW/ - Her Excellency Sharon Johnston will be appointed honorary captain (Navy) for  Military Personnel Command of the Canadian Armed Forces for her work in supporting military families and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental illness. The appointment will take place at an investiture ceremony on Monday, June 6, 2016, at 2:30 p.m., at the Royal Military College of Canada, in Kingston, Ontario.

"I am deeply honoured to accept this appointment as honorary captain of Military Personnel Command," said Mrs. Johnston. "Since the beginning of my husband's mandate as governor general, I have had the privilege of meeting with Canadian Armed Forces members and their families, which has given me a great appreciation for how much they sacrifice for our country."

During the investiture ceremony, Lieutenant-General Christine Whitecross, Commander of Military Personnel Command, will present Mrs. Johnston with an official scroll signed by the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of Defence. Following this, Her Excellency will have the honour of inspecting, for the first time, a quarter guard. 

Here is the schedule:

2:30 p.m. – Investiture ceremony
Currie Hall, Royal Military College of Canada

3:50 p.m. – Inspection of the quarter guard
Parade Square, Royal Military College of Canada

About Honorary Naval Captains
Honorary naval captains act as a bridge between military and civilian communities. The minister of National Defence approves all honorary appointments, on the recommendation of the chief of the Defence Staff. These appointments are generally for a period of three years, although extensions may be granted.

Members of the media wishing to cover the investiture ceremony are asked to arrive at 2:15 p.m. on the day of the ceremony. For a high-resolution photo of Her Excellency Sharon Johnston wearing the honorary captain (Navy) uniform, please click here.

SOURCE Governor General of Canada

Media information : Josephine Laframboise, Rideau Hall Press Office, 613-990-9324, 613-668-1929 (cell), [email protected]; RMCC Public Affairs Officer, Phone: [phone] ext. 6484, [email protected]; Follow GGDavidJohnston and RideauHall on Facebook and Twitter.