Rick Hillier is the Biggest Star from this Province

Female newscasters practically swoon over him, he gets complimented continually by reporters and military analysts - Rick Hillier is not just a soldier's soldier, he's a media star.

Just a few minutes ago he passed the Chief of Defence Staff torch to Lt.-Gen. Walter Natynczyk. Hillier's speech was gracious. His final speech was centred around the people who mattered most to him, soldiers, the fallen, and their families. He spoke in both official languages and spoke simply but eloquently.

Hillier would be an advertiser's or political party's dream. He has such a positive image and most often, at least, says the right things. He has brought much needed equipment, money and attention to Canada's military, from government, and respect from the country as a whole.

In a typical bit of Hillier humour, he told the audience that on the day he officially stepped down, in April, he phoned his wife from work. He asked her if she knew what day this was. His wife being a romantic, said that it was the "first day of the rest of our lives." He said "yes, but it's also garbage day, I forgot to put it out today."

Hillier's contribution to the military will be an example to those who follow, and all in the military. His name will likely resonate for years to come.

Historian Janice Stein has Kind Words for Gen. Rick Hillier

In a special Globe and Mail section yesterday, Janice Stein answered some questions from readers about Afghanistan, politicians and Gen. Hillier. While she noted that policy regarding Canada's stay in that country should be determined by civilian leadership, Hillier did not overstep his bounds by publicly saying that the mission could take another decade. There appeared to be support for Hillier from readers as well. Here are a couple of responses from Janice Stein:

Gen. Hillier is an inspirational leader, respected and admired by soldiers serving in Afghanistan as well as many others who serve in Canada.

He has the capacity to connect to officers and enlisted men/women, and he is certainly the most effective "communicator" the Canadian Forces have had for decades.

His leadership matters enormously to those who are serving in Afghanistan.

She says Hillier made a military expert comment about how long the mission would take, and that's the type of information that policy makers need to make an informed decision on.

Gen. Hillier is obligated to speak privately to the civilian leadership about Canada's capacity to execute operations and about the conditions that he sees in Kandahar.

When he is asked publicly to comment about these issues, I think that it is important for him to share his informed analysis. This is what he has done.

It is not appropriate for a Chief of Defence Staff to advocate policy — such as, should Canada stay in Afghanistan after February 2009 or leave — and this he has not done.

In practice, these clear lines can blur and sometimes create difficulties.

On balance, however, Canada benefits from a clear and forthright analysis by Canada's military leaders, analysis that stops short of advocacy.