A ‘BACK BREAKER’ TO REMEMBER!

RMR soldiers formed up on the lawn of the Bensadoun family home with their friends

Westmount, Quebec – 29 August 2018: On Sunday 26 August 2018, the soldiers of the RMR were fortunate to be welcomed to a private residence in the Eastern Townships to conduct our annual ‘BACK BREAKER’ forced march competition. David Bensadoun and his wife Isabelle Poirier, along with their children and a group of friends who were apparently press-ganged into running the grills, welcomed the Regiment to their home for a post-march BBQ.

After arranging for a suitable route that was a tad more “rolling” than the typical route march (the first few kilometres were subsequently labeled “the hill of tears” by certain marchers), the Bensadoun clan welcomed the RMR into their home where hamburgers were freshly grilled up to order, refreshments were served ice cold for the parched marchers, and plenty of dessert was hungrily consumed by the grateful soldiers.

The family’s property is relatively new, and yet with remarkable foresight, the landscape architect was considerate enough to plan for a couple of different sized parade squares: a full 600-strong battalion could probably fit, albeit with shoulder dressing!

The RMR’s Commanding Officer, LCol John Shone, took full advantage of the situation to conduct a short parade where he awarded the CO’s Challenge Trophy to Private Morneau for winning the BACK BREAKER march (again!), badged seven newly qualified infanteers into the Regiment, formally recognized MCpl Lamb for winning the “best instructor” trophy this summer in Valcartier, and presented MCpl Randall-Coss with a RMR Command Team Challenge Coin for his outstanding service this summer as an instructor in Valcartier. All in all, a very busy day!

The Royal Montreal Regiment thanks the Bensadouns and their friends for welcoming us!

The Commanding Officer, LCol John Shone, and the Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel, LCol (ret’d) Colin Robinson, formally badge the new members into the Regiment
MCpl Randall-Coss receiving the RMR Command Team Coin from the RMR’s CO, LCol John Shone
Pte Morneau receiving the CO’s Challenge Trophy from LCol Shone
Food is ready!

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