Lt Col Guy Smith is the founder and driving force behind Havet and the Veterans Salmon fishing derby. His career highlight was serving in Afghanistan in 2007/2008 with his daughter, Captain Stephanie Smith, a critical care nurse. Based on their Afghanistan experiences he has dedicated himself to elevating the public’s level of awareness for the contributions and sacrifices that our newest veterans make every day, particularly the contribution of Reservists.
Guy joined the Army Cadets at Blakelock High School in Oakville and in 1967 progressed onto the Reserves with “The Lorne Scots”. In 1974 he enrolled in the Canadian Forces Officer Candidate Training Plan, and commissioned into The Royal Canadian Regiment. Over the next twenty years he served in various appointments in Canada and abroad including Cyprus, Special Service Force HQ and the Royal Canadian School of Infantry. He commanded 2 RCR’s Quick Reaction Force during OP SALON (OKA Crisis 1990) where he led his company through several cordon and search operations. Assigned to the Royal Canadian School of Infantry in 1991 he served as Officer Commanding Tactics Company.
In 1995 he retired from regular Canadian Forces but on “9/11” he transferred to the Primary Reserve, joining The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment). In September 2003 he was appointed Commanding Officer of “The Riley’s” an appointment he fulfilled until February 2007. During his tenure he championed the Riley’s expansion into Burlington and the granting of “Freedom of the City of Burlington”. In 2006 he deployed to Nairobi, Kenya, training officers from the African Union how to function as staff officers in a UN Peace Support Operation Headquarters and on return he volunteered to serve a nine month tour in Afghanistan, as the senior Canadian Liaison Officer from Regional Command South (RC(S)), Task Force Afghanistan’s higher headquarters, to Headquarters International Security Assistance Force (HQ ISAF) in Kabul. On return Guy served in 31 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters in London, Ontario.
After more than 33 years service LCol Smith retired to dedicate more time to raising funds for Military Family Resource Centres. As well he ventured into private business in conducting Fishing Charters and pleasure cruises. Guy lives in Oakville, and is married to Carolyn Petersen. They have five grown children and two grandsons.
VETERANS HAVE WRITTEN A CHEQUE TO CANADA FOR UP TO AND INCLUDING THEIR LIFE. BE GENEROUS.
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