Is this Soldier Returning to or Departing from his family?
Hard to tell is it not? Our soldiers leave their loved ones to insure freedom for all Canadians.
CFB Petawawa had a return day for the troops who have just recently returned from Afghanistan. This base has lost 1/3 of all casualties suffered in Afghanistan. A day of welcome and ceremony for troops and families and also extended families. They were officially welcomed home then on to a day of BBQ Childrens events and fun. Which led to the dance in the evening starring the Bare Naked Ladies. Well done base Petawawa and may you enjoy your leave with your loved ones.
ctvottawa.ca
A homecoming celebration on Friday - Canada's largest since the Second World War - welcomed back 2,000 soldiers from CFB Petawawa who served seven months in Afghanistan.
This latest rotation was especially tough for the Upper Ottawa Valley, with seven Petawawa-based soldiers dying in the final two months alone.
Since Canada's mission in Afghanistan started in 2002, 119 Canadian soldiers have lost their lives. Thirty-eight of those troops were from CFB Petawawa, which houses 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and
You made a difference, said Brig. Gen. J.C. Collin told Friday's crowd. You were helping those who could not help themselves. You were doing what you knew was right. You were doing what needed to be done.
The Petawawa troops returned to their loved ones in installments during April and May.
I came home on leave and met my second daughter for the first time at the airport, and nothing really compares, said Capt. Paul Williams, pointing to daughter Daniella and wife Angela.
For Capt. Justin Brunelle, homecoming meant a chance to reunite with the surrogate family he found overseas after being wounded by a roadside bomb during a patrol.
I've seen all the guys I went over with in the last couple of days, Brunelle told CTV Ottawa. And it feels really good. It makes all the surgeries, all the physio, all the recovery I've done worthwhile.
Troops from the base will re-deploy to Kandahar next spring - CFB Petawawa's fourth rotation in Afghanistan.
On to CFB Wainwright where 2800 troops have just wound up their training in the area of Afghanada. Wainwright training area closely resembles Afghanistan. RCMP , Corrections Officers, Government Officials and Afghan Canadians played roles as taliban etc to make them more realistic. Three mock up areas were built to simulate Kandahar and some surrounding villages etc. Afghan Canadian civilians drove vehicles along the roads for the past 6 weeks acting as both friendlies and al quaida operatives. Our soldiers wore sophisticated Vests and helmets with sensors and GPS locaters. this gave the umpires and medical teams the extent of injuries to the mock casualties. A Sgt stated that this was the closest to the real thing that he has ever seen.These troops are due to deploy later this summer and fall. God speed , safe journey and return home safely.
Acting as taliban
Casualty simulation.
This open invitation is to Islanders and visitors alike. The next Red Rally in Charlottetown Organised by Charlene McInnis and her volunteer team from the Military Families Services Centre.
This is to allow people to hear first hand the experiences of both military members and members of Canada's invisible Army.
To show your Support for our Troops and their families. This event will be held at approx 1130 hours on Friday June 26. It will be outside on the lawn across from DVA HQ. Daniel J MacDonald Building or in the Atrium if the weather is against us.
I personally would love to visualise a Sea of Red flooding the downtown core of Charlottetown . Spare an hour from your day to honour the men and women who are serving your country. Please remember our Invisible Army:
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
