Fifteen Wing Moose Jaw has named Lisa Franks its new honorary colonel, a position Franks says will allow her to be a bridge between the community and the air force.
The air base held the change of investiture ceremony on April 5 in the atrium of the O.B. Philp Complex. Franks replaces outgoing honorary colonel Bert Olson, who held the position since April 2015. Dozens of people were on hand, including family and friends of Franks and Olson, plus base supporters, personnel and trainees.
According to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) website, honorary colonels are integral members of the air force family. They may be former air force officers or distinguished Canadian citizens who are well-known public and community figures. They work behind the scenes and connect the community and the Canadian Forces.
The Canadian tradition of honouring regional or local dignitaries with an honorary rank in the military goes back to 1857. However, it was 1895 before the first honorary colonel was appointed.
“It’s a huge honour. I’ll be navigating as I go and (determining) what I can contribute … ,” Franks said after the ceremony. “I was stunned I was being considered. I didn’t have any connections to the Forces. I was kind of like, ‘Really, me, really?’ was my first reaction.”
Franks, 37, is originally from Moose Jaw. She is a Paralympic athlete who competed in wheelchair sprint events in the 2000 Sydney Paralympics and the 2004 Athens Paralympics. She won four gold and one silver in Sydney, plus two gold in Athens.
Meeting new people, attending ceremonies and events, and learning about the accomplishments of the military were some activities Olson enjoyed as honorary colonel, he said. A particularly meaningful event Olson attended was in 2015 during the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands during the Second World War.
“I felt very honoured to be wearing a uniform that day, (while) I felt very ashamed that I knew so little about the RCAF’s accomplishments and what difference we’ve made in the world,” he said during the handover ceremony.
Olson was an outstanding example to others and was selfless, said Col. Denis O’Reilly during the ceremony. He rarely missed an opportunity to advocate or represent the air base. From sewing quilts of valour to marching in the legislature, Olson was a positive role model whose wisdom was noticeable.
As the new honorary colonel, Franks believes she can relate to the flight students. They face high pressure situations during training, which is something she understands through her Paralympic career. She wants them to understand that pressure is to be expected, while it is OK to fail and struggle. They will succeed with mental toughness.
Franks, who lives in Saskatoon, is looking forward to visiting Moose Jaw more often as she represents the air base.
“Growing up in Moose Jaw, to be able to reconnect with the community, I think it’s going to be really special because they supported me so much when I was younger,” she said. “I miss those connections.”
Sometimes the main way to succeed in this role is to participate in events when invited and enjoy the learning experience, Olson said afterward. His advice to Franks is to take every opportunity to attend ceremonies and learn everything she can about the military.
“I appreciated the opportunity (to be honorary colonel),” Olson added. “I met many great Canadians serving in this capacity … It made me a better person.”
