It was a long, physically and mentally exhausting couple of days for a group of infantry soldiers with the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment.
Members of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment finish their 100 Mile March on July 9, 2019 at the Belleville Armouries. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
They completed a 100 mile march that began on Monday morning in Cobourg, headed to Peterborough and then on to Belleville, where they finished at the Armouries on Tuesday night.
Acting Commanding Officer Major Roy VanDenberg says this march brought in the regimental history as this is a way of life for infantry soldiers and they walked hundreds of miles.
He told the group this march of 160 kms shows mental and physical resilience as well as teamwork.
Members of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment get their feet cared for following the finish of their 100 Mile March on July 9, 2019 at the Belleville Armouries. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
Two members of the group completed 100 kms, two others completed 90 kms.
VanDenberg had high praise for the group following the completion of the march.
Chief Warrant Officer Dean Stokes handed out two RSM accommodation medals at the Armouries.
He says it’s not something that is taken lightly as it’s a mark of merit and achievement.
Master Corporal Sean Francis and Master Corporal Nick LeBlanc completed the most miles of the 16 who took part over the two days.
CWO Stokes says this march is what they do as an infantry and it shows grit, determination, leadership and everything they need to be a Hasty P.
He says this was his brain child for this year and he hopes it will be an annual event.
Members of the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment finish their 100 Mile March on July 9, 2019 at the Belleville Armouries to applause from their fellow soldiers. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
July 10 is celebrated as Landing in Sicily Day when the Hasty Ps joined the allied troops in World War II.
A ceremony will take place at the Belleville Armouries beginning at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday to mark the occasion.
The walk was meant to symbolize the Hasty Ps landing at Pachino, Sicily on July 10, 1943, and walking the length of Italy with allied forces while in combat.
