Laura's Blog: August 2007

"Sunset Parade"

11:18 PM | by Laura

So after driving two days we finally arrived in Vernon. There is something about watching 800 cadets marching out onto Dieppe Parade Square that just does something to a cadet parent. These kids have come from across western Canada and some parts of eastern Canada. They have worked hard, learned alot, had fun and made alot of new friends. All to come to this night. Emotions are running high for some. I know Jenna has made some friends with a group of about 10 or so kids that she has called several times since she has returned home. Have you ever seen a whole platoon of about 3o kids, guys and girls bawl their eyes out when it came time to say their goodbyes? It was happening with Jenna's platoon. I never had so many kids want to meet "Jenna's parents" than that night. There is something about hearing the bagpipes playing "Amazing Grace" that stirs this girls scottish roots. Many are going home immediately after the parade, while some are flying out the next day. Saying goodbye is never easy when you don't know if you are ever going to see them again. So, we packed her up Friday night, went back to the hotel and waited until morning to pick up the "other half " before setting out on our long trip back home. The phone and computer has not stopped since then and we even received "snail mail"...I know it's amazing kids still know how to use the old method of communication! Anyway, I'm glad they are home and life can resume back to a somewhat normal pace.

"We're Home"

9:08 AM | by Laura

We finally arrived home Sunday afternoon after almost 16 hrs driving home in two days. We have two very tired, but satisfied kids. Goodbyes were hard, especially on Jenna because she probably has one of the closest platoons on base. I don't think I have seen so many teenage guys literally bawl their eyes out! Some they will never see again as they will age out this year, and never return to Vernon for another training year. You know what was funny? If anyone was watching, (which I doubt it, but just in case) I am sure they could have been confused wondering how many kids I really had...I found most of our Saskatoon cadets that call me "Mama P" that had to run up and give me a hug! Just seeing a familiar face must have felt good to them. I had good ole Minnie run straight out of his barracks hollering "Mama P" and ran to catch up to us so he could give me a hug and talk to us.

I have a ton of pictures from both girls, with alot of stories that kept us entertained all the way home, in between naps! So I guess I won't run out of pictures to scrapbook, between the two of them over 600 photos where taken! That isn't including the ones we took of them and their friends saying goodbye and then the Sunset Parade. So maybe I'll post a couple pictures of the Sunset Parade until I get a couple new pages up and posted.

This just about takes care of our summer. They start back at school soon. Life will return to somewhat of a normal routine....maybe. But we will have changed and grown and become better...more mature young adults...let's hope. Have a great rest of the summer!!!

"Batallion Sports Day"

9:22 PM | by Laura

Here is a rare photo that Wayne Emde took of the girls last Saturday during Battalion Sports Day. Rachel was able to get down from Foxtrot for a few minutes as they don't participate in the event. It is only for those who are there for the six week courses. I'm thinking I have a few pictures from these guys. They did a great job for me!!!

Here Jenna is talking with her Officer in Charge (otherwise known as her OC), Major Vecchio on their way to classes.

Grad Parade day on second intake. We were excited because Rachel had received some great news. She was promoted to Warrant Officer for the remainder of her stay at Vernon. So this last intake of cadets she will be a Platoon Warrant (what she did at home here for the last year) but with about twice as many kids. She was so excited. Her promotion parade was on Sunday, so I should have a picture up soon with that.

As I have flipped through these pictures this year and even last years pictures, there has been one thing that has become apparent. Even though I do not know the CO of Vernon ACSTC personally, Col. Al Dengis has impressed me alot. This is why. In this photo, you will see him squatting down talking on the level with basic cadets. These are kids that generally range in age from 12-14 years of age. This is not a photo op, he is out there in the rain getting to know the kids. Not sitting in his office staying dry. The very first intake of kids coming in late at night (past midnight) at the beginning of July, he was at the airport along with other officers to greet them because it was and still is a tradition. Some of these kids have never been here before, never been that far away from home before, nor for that length of time. He wasn't at home in bed sleeping letting an underling take care of it...he was there, himself. Who do you think those kids are going to remember? Those kids on the FTX that are cold and miserable and wet, one of the hi lights of their camp, I guarantee you is going to be that the CO of the camp came and spent time with them, got wet with them, ate the prepacked food with them, was ONE OF THEM. Look....he has the attention of every one of the kids'. In the next photo, he, along with the retired CO and another military guy came out to the abseil site, and they all went down. My point is, he mixes with the kids, all the time. As far as I know each FTX he goes out their and sees them, checks on the band kids and sees how they are coming along playing. He leads by example. Any great historical leader was out front with his men, not sitting behind his desk giving the orders afraid to get his hands dirty. Even though I don't know him personally, I see what he does....I really like this guy. I think he is just a big kid at heart!!!!

" Rush Hour in Vernon"

1:54 PM | by Laura

When Francois posted this picture I had to take a second look, then I started laughing! I love his sense of humor. Can you imagine a traffic jam on base in Vernon? But he managed to catch it on camera. He truly is a scrapbookers photograher! I thought I would post this picture because those of you who know me well, know I have a quirky sense of humor and pictures like these make my day. I hope someone else enjoyed this shot, and saw the humor in it just as much as I did!

"Community Service"

7:59 AM | by Laura

One of the many things I appreciate about the camp in Vernon, is what they teach the cadets about community service. Every year they pick something in or around the city that needs cleaning up or something done and the cadets go and do it. Here this platoon from Rifle Coach is cleaning up around and in the creek. Some of the cadets were in the water up to their waists, picking up floating debris. In this picture, Jenna is about to cross the shallow part of the creekbed. So glad Wayne Emde was there for me again!

There are not too many organizations out there that promote and teach this kind of team work, and community work. This not only teaches the cadets about being a good citzen but it instills in them (or tries to) a sense of giving back to your community. Something we are sadly lacking these days. In the group picture above, does it look like the kids are choked because they had to do some physical work? They seem to have a sense of pride in being a part of something bigger than themselves. I think that is the key to this whole thing. It is not about them as individuals, but as a team, working together to accomplish a goal...for someone else. But is leaves you with a pretty satisfied feeling to be a part of something like that. I have done it, I remember that feeling of giving of yourself and feeling satisfaction. Sorry, there is my rant! Keep up the good work, guys!!!

"Pay Back Time"

8:02 AM | by Laura

You know that when we were kids and our parents told us the rule in life "You Reap What You Sow?" Or "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you?" Well, I talked to Rachel last night and it is becoming very apparent that she is getting her just rewards, so to speak. She is known to be a practical joker and on their last ftx, she caused quite a stir when she scared a few senior staff cadets. (Some coming out of the porta pottie) They swore revenge on her and when I was talking to her on the phone the other night, she received her first scare, which nearly took five years off her mothers' life because she screamed into the phone. She proceeded to tell me that a couple nights ago that her and another staff cadet were so freaked out they were almost crying! They were in there tents (like the one in the picture above) and it was just before midnight when it started and they could hear footsteps outside. When they called out, of course no one is going to answer. First of all, if someone is trying to scare you, they aren't going to say, "It's just me out here walking around your tent trying to freak you guys out, don't worry about it, I'll be done shortly. " If it is a kid who is up to no good,they aren't going to answer. We humans are funny sometimes aren't we? Admit it...we all do it. Anyway, they whipped open the door and didn't see anyone and this carried on for a bit and each time they whipped open the door no one was there. They even ventured down the road around 12:30 am, scared spitless!!! So they came back into the tent and sat on the bunk huddled next to each other, shivering, almost crying. Now, the kind, sympathetic mom that I am, was cracking up! I was getting a great visual here. Anyway, about the time they couldn't take much more suspense, someone cracked their binder on the outside of the tent and Rachel let out this blood curdling scream! Remember she received an official fun award last year for the "Best Pipes". Don't know how many she woke up this time, but I had a good chuckle. I once again reminded her, as parents are prone to do, that you reap what you sow. I also had to let her know that the most sightings of Saskquatchs are in the BC, Wash., and Idaho area. She wasn't to happy with me for that one because we had all read this fiction book on them not long ago, and now I know her imagination will be working overtime!!!!! She said that Vernon was too central and populated! But the seed is planted....hee, hee, hee. Imagination is a wonderful thing!