TTBR

Boom!

TTBR
Most people reading this probably don't need this explained, but if you didn't come up in the artillery, in our arm of the service, "Time To Be Ready" aka TTBR-- the time you must be ready to shoot-- is not negotiable. When your TTBR is 13.00 hrs, 13.01 is not acceptable. That's how it works. How you make it happen is your problem. Got it? Now I know that 3BAM is not a real military unit, but we're mostly old gunners and if if you know anyone more stuck-up and by-the-book about punctuality and precision than a guy who was twice RSM of a field artillery regiment (i.e. our Sunray), then I'd like to meet him. Seriously....TTBR is just as important to 3BAM as it is to anyone else who wears a gunner badge. We take it to heart. We can't but do otherwise. Once a gunner.....

Where was the Navy?

3BAM members scan the horizon, waiting for the navy.

But where was the Navy? We were deployed in the Old Port for the annual event to honour veterans of what I consider the WWII's most important battle; the Battle of the Atlantic, which if we had lost, everyone in Europe would be speaking either German or Russian by now (I haven't decided which but that's another matter.) Let's not digress too much. We were there over an hour early with plenty of time to rehearse drills, greet passersby and tourists and explain what was going on, pose for pictures, have lunch...but when the appointed hour came and we stood too our posts, ready to shoot....nothing. Not a sailor in sight. People had gathered around, waiting to watch us shoot...but nothing. Things were very behind schedule with the bateau-mouche on which the ceremony was being held.  They were more than an hour late and by the time the finally showed up, a good many people that had stuck around to watch us shoot had given up and moved on.

Making the Best of the Situation.

A young lady originally from Russia happily poses while wearing one of my hats.

This was the second mission in a row in which 3BAM was ready long before we were called to shoot. In a sense, not a good thing, but in this case, it was sort of a blessing in disguise. The delay gave us more time to mingle with and explain the 25-pdr gun, 3BAM, the Royal Canadian Artillery, and why we old farts in 3BAM who could be spending our Saturday afternoon having a barbecue instead of doing this are doing this instead of having a barbecue. It was the perfect moment to pose for photos, pass out our card and answer a myriad of questions from curious onlookers. As they guy who mostly manages 3BAM's publicity, I couldn't ask for a better screw up, and I have to say that all the other members took the opportunity to heart, happily posing for photos with spectators, answering their questions and doing what we do best; promoting the Royal Canadian Artillery. Ubique!

I am right now wondering how many of the many people I had pose wearing the spare hat I brought along for the purpose have already posted their photos to their Facebook pages or to Instagram. A lot I hope, and I hope that at least a few are checking out out blog to find out what we are all about. I made a special effort myself to speak at length a lovely group of very interested American tourists; after all, it isn't just our branch of the service we want to promote, but our city and our country. When people vist here from anywhere in the world, I would like for them to leave saying "Wow! Montreal was awesome!"

All's Well That Ends Well
Did I mention that the boat finally showed up and we fired the salute, much to the enjoyment of the many spectators who had gathered? So mission accomplished and in the end, I was grateful for the extended opportunity to mix it up with all the curious people in the Old Port who had so many questions about us and what we were doing. I can't think of a better way to bring attention to Canadian veterans or promote the regiment than what we had the opportunity to do today.

Another two missions tomorrow.



Ubique!


Gary Menten
3BAM Photographer and,
Once-a sergeant, long ago.