Par-en-Bas students supporting troops

“We always tell them (students) not to expect anything because we’re not doing it for that reason,” said Solange Amirault, a Grade 8 French and English teacher at Ecole Secondaire de Par-en-Bas

“We’re doing it to give to the ones supporting us. Sometimes we get surprises throughout the year though, which we really enjoy.

The “surprises” include many, many letters and emails from grateful soldiers. This is the third year in a row for the school’s participation in Chosen Soldier, a volunteer program that allows groups to informally sponsor a Canadian soldier serving in Afghanistan.

The students fill lunchbox size boxes with items they often volunteer to buy themselves including: lip balm, beef jerky, gum, playing cards, wet wipes, dry pasta, notepads, M&Ms, power bars and juice crystals.

This year approximately 100 students are sponsoring 92 soldiers in Rotation 6. The boxes, which can be obtained free of charge from the Yarmouth armories on Parade Street, will be shipped to Kandahar by the end of this month at no cost.

Classes at this school have received several visits from their secretary, Kay Muise’s son - Master Corporal Chester Muise, who served in Kandahar. Students and staff also celebrate Vendredi Rouge (Red Friday) in support of the troops.

Amirault encourages anyone interested in supporting a soldier through the program to visit the website www.trevlac.biz)

or to contact her through the school (902-648-5900) for instructions on how to participate or donate small items for the next shipment.



Words of appreciation

I was very happy to receive your letter, it means a lot to all of us over here that people back home think enough of what we are doing to take time out of their busy day to write to us. I'm hoping that we can write often, so that I can tell you what it is like serving over here and I would really like to hear about what is going on back home. If you would like to send a class picture I can hang it here in the MT (Military Transportable) and send you back a picture with all of you serving along side us.

~ Cpl Kevin O'Rourke

I am here in Afghanistan until mid September, my job is to fix and repair the Leopard tanks over here. I drive a tank that I guess you could say is the tow truck for tanks.

It is extremely hot in the tanks right now (upwards of 60C!), I am looking forward to going on my vacation in a couple of weeks. Once again, thank you for your letter and your support of this mission over here

~Cpl Dan Dorsay

I believe these student's care packages are one of the best things going for the soldiers that are deployed.

~ Sgt JY Caouette

As I'm sure you know we are a fair bit busy here and the hours and days that I work are never what you would call normal, but I appreciate the time it takes someone to write me and I will definitely show the same respect back by responding to every letter I get.

I enjoy helping the people and giving them the same joys that we as Canadians sometimes take for granted everyday. The children are no different from ours and with the right opportunities will grow up to be strong, educated people and I'm happy to be a part of that.

In closing I want to thank you and your school and anyone that has sent myself and my fellow troops packages, letters, etc... you guys don't know how much it means to us that we have the support that we do back home. It’s a real treat anytime that I receive a package or letter from a friend or even a complete stranger because I know that that person took time out of their lives to write a total stranger in most cases and that shows me what we as Canadians are truly about and why I'm proud to wear the flag on my left shoulder everyday!

~ Stephen Hennessey

It is great that you joined the Chosen Soldier Program, and I must say first and foremost, thank you for the support, from yourself, your fellow staff members and to your students from various grade levels.

~Farron Pickford

Our company, Golf Company, 2nd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment, has fully agreed to immerse ourselves into your most worthy school project. It has been made clear to our troops that it is a volunteer response by your students and teachers. I think it will be favorable and we all eagerly await your correspondence.

We are currently tasked as the Force Protection Company for the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team (KPRT) at Camp Nathan Smith (CNS)

~Warrant Officer Rod Hollahan