It fills my heart with Pride to see sons, grandsons,daughters and granddaughters enlisting in Canada's military. The majority of them following the footsteps of Fathers, Grandfathers and now a days Mothers. I was proud when my son Michael joined the airforce as a firefighter and the tradition goes on.
My apprentice buddy Ed Beveridge, who has a brother resting in a Normandy Cemetary. Joined the military family at the same time as myself in 1960. Ed recently went up to St Jean Quebec with his wife Olive to watch his grandson Kris graduate from Basic training. this is the email he sent me. A proud Grandfather passing on his knowledge of the military family.
Al..... On 1 October 2009 three platoons, TILSTON (R0261E) , ROBERTSON (R0262E) and RAYFIELD (R0263E) completed the Basic Training Course at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School, St. Jean PQ.
The platoons are named in honour of Victoria Cross winners.
The End of Course Ceremony was presided over by the Commandant of CFLRS, Lieutenant-Colonel S.J.R. Whelan, CD and the Reviewing Officer was Major-General D.C. Tabbernor, CMM, CD, Chief of Reserves and Cadets at NDHQ. A total of 132 new members of the Canadian forces completed the first stage of their military careers and have headed off to commence trades training in various elements of the Navy, Army and Air Force.
One of that number was Kristopher Edward Snair or as everyone knows him, Kris. A resident of the Moncton NB area, Kris was an aspiring carpenter but due to the economic downturn work fell off and he had to look further afield.
He was counselled by his parents, Kevin and Laura (Beveridge) to consider the Canadian Forces and in particular the Navy where he could pursue his love of carpentry in the Hull Technician trade. His father Kevin, now a professional photographer and previously a Naval Reserve Petty Officer, had the distinction of being a Basic Training instructor at Canadian Forces Base Cornwallis prior to its closure in 1994. He was able to give Kris a good idea of what to expect during Basic Training and also gave him some very worthwhile tips on how to conduct himself during the course.
His grandfather, myself ( Ed Beveridge ) , who has a combined Regular Army and Naval Reserve service of 37 years was able to fill in the blanks giving Kris advice and an insight into the benefits of choosing a military career. Kris also has an aunt, Shelly, a Naval Reserve Petty Officer, who undoubtedly supported his decision to embark on a career in the Navy.
This is just one of the 132 young men and women who were on parade last Thursday and there is no doubt that there are numerous others present in the ranks that day whose decision to join the Forces was influenced by family and friends who have served or who are still serving.
All the very best
Ed
Ed, thankyou and on behalf of myself and other proud Canadians, we thank Kris and the other young men and women who have volunteered, signed their cheque and have taken an oath of Allegience to Queen and Country. May they have long satisfying careers in their chosen fields.
CFLRS Commandant Lieutenant-Colonel S.J.R. Whelan
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School (CFLRS) website, a Canadian Defence Academy unit. CFLRS is the gateway to the profession of arms in Canada and is the center of excellence where recruits and officer-cadets acquire the common knowledge necessary for all trades in the Canadian Forces. The training is physically demanding and lays its foundation on the fundamental values of the Canadian Forces: Duty, Loyalty, Integrity and Courage.
132 Proud Young Canadians Graduating from Basic Training.
Remember Everyone Deployed
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
