Hasty Ps celebrate 76th anniversary of Landing in Sicily Day

Members of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment honoured their own on Wednesday to mark a significant anniversary.

Seventy-six years ago, on July 10, 1943, members of the Hasty Ps landed on the shores of Sicily to join forces with the allied troops in World War II.

Two trees from the Highway of Heroes were planted this year at the Armouries’ cenotaph to honour five soldiers, including Mark McLaren.

McLaren was killed in action in Afghanistan in December 2008 as a member of the Royal Canadian Regiment and his father Alan says the memorial is a nice touch.

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Over 30 per cent of the Hastings Prince Edward Regiment have served in Afghanistan.

Acting Commanding Officer Roy Van den Berg told those in attendance they wanted to symbolize that the lives of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice continue on with something living, which is why they chose to include trees from the Highway of Heroes and something permanent, the memorial stones, to offer people a place of reflection.

The memorial stone honouring Master Corporal Mark McLaren, a former Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment member who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2008. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)

The memorial stone honouring four Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment members. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)

Van den Berg says there is a commonality when in uniform, and they are family, they feel the call to duty and they serve.

Van den Berg stated that The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment has served all over the world, but much of their work has gone unknown, which is why ceremonies like this one today are so important, because they recognize the service of its members and the sacrifice of those who have served since 1945.

He says there is a saying that once a Hasty P, always a Hasty P and the memorial service honoured those who gave their lives in the ultimate sacrifice during the war as well as those who passed away this last year by moving them to the White Battalion. There were six names moved to the White Battalion during the ceremony.

Mike Hurley from the Highway of Heroes says the Tree Campaign will see two million trees planted along the highway as tribute to the two million soldiers who have served in times of conflict since Confederation, creating the world’s largest living memorial.

One of the two trees from the Highway of Heroes planted at the Belleville Armouries to honour the fallen soldiers from the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)

The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment held a ceremony marking the 76th anniversary of the Landing in Sicily. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)

CWO Dean Stokes and Acting Commanding Officer Roy Van den Berg salute following the laying of a wreath during the ceremony marking the 76th anniversary of the Landing in Sicily. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)

Mike Hurley of the Highway of Heroes speaks during the Landing in Sicily anniversary ceremony at the Belleville Armoury. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)

The ceremonial tree planting of two trees at the Hastings and Prince Edward Regimental Headquarters at the Belleville Armoury during the 76th anniversary of the Landing in Sicily. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)