General Rick Hillier

"We're not the public service of Canada, we're not just another department. We are the Canadian Forces, and our job is to be able to kill people."

General Rick hillier C.M.M., M.S.C., CD

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Gen. Rick Hillier has officially retired as the leader of Canada's military, handing over the reins to Gen. Walter Natynczyk in a ceremony Wednesday in Ottawa.

Soldiers marched and Snowbird planes flew overhead moments before Hillier passed a ceremonial flag to Gov. Gen. Michaëlle Jean, who handed it over to Natynczyk.

"It has been my privilege to have served you as your chief of defence staff, and to have had the opportunity to represent you across our country and around the world," Hillier said, addressing the soldiers participating in the ceremony directly.

"I leave as chief of defence staff awed by you, awed by all our troops, who in my view are absolute national treasures, Canada's sons and daughters, and heroes to all."

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Bravo Zulu General Hillier. I salute you, sir!.

John the Mad CD Major (Ret'd)