Donald Hewson, president of Brothers Creek Trading Ltd, was welcomed as Honorary Colonel (HCol) of 19 Wing Comox in a ceremony Friday at CFB Comox.
HCol Hewson takes over from HCol Dr. Lou Dryden, who has served the men and women of 19 Wing within the community for the past four years.
HCol Hewson was born in Edmonton and attended the University of British Columbia. He has always been employed within the lumber and logging industry, initially as a trader then as manager for Rayonier Canada Building Products and subsequently with Cattermole Timber. In 2007 he assumed his current position as head of Brothers Creek Trading Ltd.
While he is active within the business community, he is just as involved with charitable work. HCol Hewson is the president of the British Columbia Chapter of Canada Company.
This organization has a six-year history of raising funds and providing scholarships for children of fallen military members and funding summer camps for children of parents who are deployed on operations. HCol Hewson is a longtime player and supporter of rugby, having represented Canada on four Canada Classic tours.
“HCol Hewson’s support for military members and families in British Columbia is well-known and his formal induction into the RCAF family is not only a recognition of his charitable contributions, but will also further reinforce our great relationship with Canada Company and the work it does,” said Col. Jim Benninger, 19 Wing Commander. “As an outdoorsman who holds his pilot’s license, he will certainly relate to many members of 19 Wing who enjoy the great recreational opportunities that life in the Comox Valley affords.”
Honorary colonels work behind the scenes and provide a connection between the community and the Canadian Forces. These unpaid positions are usually for tenures of three years, but may be renewed.
While some honorary colonels are former Air Force members, many are not. Members of the Air Force Honorary Colonels program come from a diverse range of backgrounds, including many well-known public and community figures.
Honorary appointments bring with them certain responsibilities such as fostering esprit de corps as well as developing, promoting and sustaining strong community support for the unit.
— 19 Wing Comox