Wearing a chest full of medals, Alberta's new lieutenant governor, retired Col. Donald Ethell, shares a joke with a soldier while inspecting the guard on the legislature grounds after his swearing-in ceremony in Edmonton on Tuesday, May 11, 2010. Photograph by: Chris Schwarz, edmontonjournal.com
EDMONTON — Alberta's new lieutenant-governor plans to travel the province as much as possible during his term, to meet people from Abee to Zama City.
The retired army colonel has seen much of the world in his work as a peacekeeper, making stops in Cyprus and Lebanon, the Balkans and Central America.
But Donald Ethell has never been to Castor, something he plans to remedy this summer when he inspects the cadet squadron at their annual parade. "We will get there somehow or another," he said of the small town east of Red Deer.
Ethell, one of Canada's most decorated peacekeepers, was sworn in Tuesday at the legislature. He took over the post from Norman Kwong, who served for five years as the Queen's representative in Alberta.
Premier Ed Stelmach said Ethell's career and values will aid him in his new role.
"His honour's compassion and dedication to the well-being of his fellow citizens has been a constant," Stelmach said. "Those traits are the hallmark of Albertans and will guide him well in his work on their behalf."
Federal Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose said Ethell's life and work exemplify Canada's finest military tradition.
Ethell, whose medals now stretch halfway across his chest, signed up for the military at 17, but flunked out of the air force after a 10-month stint.
He eventually decided to give the Armed Forces another shot and went on to serve in 14 international peacekeeping missions and work as Canada's director of peacekeeping operations in Ottawa.
Since his retirement in 1993, he has volunteered for a number of humanitarian and veteran's organizations.
Ethell first moved to Calgary in 1956 and has made the city his home base ever since. Still, he admitted he hasn't travelled much in the northern half of the province and isn't yet a familiar face to many Albertans.
He hopes people will get to know at least four traits.
"Trust, loyalty, integrity and honour. That's what I stand for as a Canadian," Ethell said. "You've got to have that core in order to be successful as a soldier or in civilian life."
During his time in the new job, he plans to reach out to people with mental illness and families of fallen soldiers.
He has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and said it's healthy the stigma is being lifted from other soldiers and emergency personnel who live with it.
"I can understand that people need to be reassured that they're not alone."
Ethell also wants to reach out to aboriginal people, who he said face a unique set of challenges.
"We hope to celebrate our success and honour the special place aboriginal people hold in Canadian culture," he said.
Ethel will have key constitutional duties, including signing bills into law and swearing in cabinet. Day to day, however, the role is largely ceremonial.
amclean@thejournal.canwest.com
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
Tuesday saw Colonel  assume the post of provincial  in Edmonton, capital of Alberta, Canada. The swearing-in ceremony took place at Edmonton's Legislative Building, with the retired colonel inspecting the guard afterwards. As is traditional, the taking of the oath of office was accompanied by a fifteen-gun salute.
The new Lieutenant Governor, Colonel Donald Ethell, at the swearing-in ceremony at the Legislative Building in Edmonton. 

The 72-year-old decorated war veteran assumes the post from , who served from January 20 in 1995. Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the appointment last Thursday.
Alberta Premier Ed Stelmech alongside Ethell. 
Ethell has served Canada, with distinction, spending 38 years in the armed forces, and involved in over fourteen peacekeeping missions. "I can assure you that I will not be stuffy and aloof just because I've got a whole lot of medals on my shoulder", said Ethell (''', , ''').

Alongside his military medals, the new Lieutenant Governor is a member of the , the , and the Order of St. John.  "I'm very grateful for the opportunities that were presented to me by the military. It was shape up or get out.  And that's exactly what I did." said Ethell. a believer in second chances. He was known as a leading United Nations' Peacekeeping diplomat, and in later years  with the Canadian Association of Veterans.

Armed forces present at the swearing in ceremony. 
Alberta   said, "his Honour's compassion and dedication to the well-being of his fellow citizens has been a constant. Those traits are the hallmark of Albertans and will guide him well in his work on their behalf."

The first Lieutenant Governor of Alberta was sworn in during 1905, as Alberta became a province of Canada.  Ethell is the seventeenth holder of the office.

"Colonel Ethell has had a distinguished career in the Canadian Armed Forces and as a humanitarian.  He is one of Canada’s most decorated soldiers as well as a champion for veterans and the welfare of those in the world's most vulnerable nations.” said Harper.