Dr Bonn new honourary colonel for 8 Wing’s 424 Squadron

By Lt Christopher Daniel,
8 Wing Public Affairs Officer
Members of 8 Wing Trenton warmly welcomed John M. Bonn, M.D., LL.B., as 424 (Transport and Rescue) Squadron’s new Honorary Colonel, during a change of appointment ceremony Monday.

HCol Bonn succeeds HCol Ed Robertson who has been 424 Squadron’s Honorary Colonel since February 2009. Robertson is best known as the lead singer, guitarist and songwriter in the band Barenaked Ladies.

“We are thankful to Honorary Colonel Robertson for his three years of dedicated service,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Joel Roy, Commanding Officer of 424 Squadron. “He will always be a part of 424 Squadron – once a Tiger, always a Tiger,” he added.

HCol Robertson expressed how proud he was of his time served as Honorary Colonel.

“I was able to spend lots of great time with the men and women of the Squadron, and entertain their families at Christmas parties and family day celebrations,” said HCol Robertson. “I will always remember my time as Honorary Colonel, and I look forward to a continued association with 424 Squadron, and the whole of our Canadian Forces,” he said.

LCol Roy said that “the Tiger family is honoured to have Honorary Colonel Bonn as the new Honorary Colonel.”

HCol Bonn is a well-respected member of the Quinte community. He has been a practicing physician for more than 40 years, serving his patients as a family physician, an anaesthesiologist and an emergency doctor. During this time, he has also provided executive leadership in hospitals as Chief of Anaesthesia at both the Trenton Memorial Hospital (TMH) and the Belleville General Hospital (BGH) as well as Chief of Emergency Medicine at TMH and Chief of Staff of BGH.

“8 Wing has been an integral part of my life,” said HCol Bonn. “I’m honoured to accept this appointment and I know that it will be a rewarding and memorable experience,” he said.

HCol Bonn is also involved in teaching medical school students and residents as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Queen’s University in Kingston.  He is a Trusted Advisor for the Canadian Collaborative for Hospital Excellence. He was appointed a Coroner for the Province of Ontario from 1992 to 1997 and has served on the Councils of the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

During his youth, HCol Bonn was a member of the Air Cadets.  He and his wife Patty raised their family in Trenton and continue to reside in the area. He maintains an active lifestyle playing hockey and golf, hunting, fishing, and enjoying quality time with his many grandchildren.