OUR U.N. STORIES OUR U.N. STORIESI was born in Neepawa MB and joined the Canadian Army in Sep 1963. On graduation from the University of Manitoba, I served in a variety of command and staff appointments including tours of duty with the United Nations in Cyprus and the Balkans, and NATO in Germany.
My command appointments include CO 1st Battalion Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in Calgary AB, Commander Special Service Force in Petawawa ON, Deputy Force Commander of the United Nations Protection Force and Commander of the Canadian Contingent in the Balkans, Commander Land Force Atlantic Area in Halifax, NS and Commander 1 Canadian Division in Kingston ON.
My senior staff appointments included Regimental Major Canadian Airborne Regiment, COS Army Staff College, COS Prairie Militia Area, and Director-General Personnel Careers Other Ranks at National Defence Headquarters. He was fortunate to be selected as part of the military team to visit the USSR as part of the detente at the end of the Cold War.
In September 1997, I was appointed Deputy Chief of Defence Staff at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, where I was responsible for Canadian Forces operations and intelligence worldwide.
I am a graduate of the Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College, Kingston ON, the Canadian Forces Staff College, Toronto ON, and the United States Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk VA.
My first exposure to the United Nations was in Cyprus as a wet-behind-the-ears Platoon Commander with 2 QOR 0f C in April-October 1967. It was a great experience to be able to deploy on an operation and the opportunity to learn a great deal about soldiers and soldiering, and to have an initial exposure to the United Nations. I was fortunate enough to be very much involved with the two "warring factions" on a day to day basis and learn lots of lessons about peacekeeping.
Throughout my career I was responsible for training individuals and groups deploying on many UN peacekeeping missions. This was an exciting part of serving with the Canadian Armed Forces, and gave me many other opportunities to make a small contribution to peacekeeping without actually deploying. And of course, it was the training and the standards of preparation that separated Canadian military members from all others.
My second on-the-ground experience was in the Balkans May 1994-June 1995, as the Deputy Force Commander and Commander of the Canadian Contingent - a force of about 2,600. Even though I was stationed in Zagreb, I spent a great deal of time in the Sectors negotiating ceasefires and trying to hold the factions to account for their actions. My focus was on maintaining the peace in Croatia and the forces deployed in the Former Republic of Macedonia which mean lots of contact with soldiers from about 24 countries. There were plenty of exciting (and dangerous!) situations in trying to keep the peace and prevent the terrible death and destruction being inflicted on all factions, but largely civilians. One of the highlights was being appointed as the military advisor to the senior political group to re-negotiate the UN mandate for all of the Balkans. I was able to meet all the senior political and military leaders in the Balkans, and be involved in the negotiations - oftentimes under very challenging conditions.
The one element of peacekeeping that stood out at the time (and still does) was the professionalism and sheer capabilities of Canadian soldiers engaged in the full range of peacekeeping. Having had the opportunity to work with over 30 nations at various times, it was always evident that Canadians stood well above others in the full gamut of peacekeeping through to peace enforcement.
I was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. In early 1967, I was talking with a friend's father about joining the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). He suggested I join the Reserves to see if it was what I really wanted and then I could always transfer to the Regular Force. So, in September 19671 joined the Naval Reserves - specifically Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Unicorn. By December 1968 I did a component transfer to the Regular Force. Basic Training started in January 1969 at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Cornwallis. That was the start of my journey across Canada.
After completing Finance clerk trade training, off l went to CFB Esquimalt for my first posting.
Canadian Forces Supply Depot (CFSD) Toronto was next and gave me experience in another aspect of my trade. I went on to National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ) in Ottawa before returning to CFB Cornwallis as an instructor at the Recruit School I couldn't neglect the Prairies, so I went to both CFB Edmonton and CFB Winnipeg. I started my international experience with a posting to CFB Baden in Germany. Coming home from Europe meant being posted to CFBwinnipeg again. During this second time in Winnipeg, I was given the opportunity to go on a tour as a Peacekeeper in the Golan Heights.
I have always maintained that my posting to the Recruit School in Cornwallis was the one where I learned the most. I learned the techniques of classroom instruction, teaching drill, plus so many other skills and, most importantly to me, how much I loved being on the ranges firing the old FNC1 rifle (but I am convinced that pistols have teeth). Experiences in Germany and surrounding European countries were wonderful. In 1991, I participated in the International Four Day Marches in Nijmegan in the Netherlands. I was part of a team of 21 women, all of us wives of Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) members. It was unforgettable. I still have the medal.
During my career, I received the Canadian Forces Decoration (CD) with 2 clasps, the Special Service Medal (SSM) for service with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); the United Nations Peacekeeping medal for service with united Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights; and the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal (CPSM).
I retired from the Regular Force as a Petty Officer 2nd Class but continued with the Supplementary Ready Reserve List. Once again, I joined a Reserve Unit at 1 Canadian Air Division until reaching Compulsory Retirement Age (CFiA) when I finally hung up my boots. I ended my career in the Reserves, the same way I started it, but with a lifetime of priceless memories. My husband and I stayed in Winnipeg upon my retirement. My career in the Canadian Armed Forces allowed me to travel all over Canada, to live overseas, to see the Middle East, and to make lifelong friends. I wore the Canadian Armed Forces uniform for 34 years and now I am a proud Canadian Veteran.
Golan Heights, Isreal 1994-1995
Two years after serving with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), I went on a United Nations (UN) peacekeeping tour. With these two similar acronyms there were times when I forgot who I was serving with and would say I was with NATO when I meant the UN. Being in the Middle East was such an eye-opener but it is not a posting that I will ever regret. It was wonderful, educational, and scary all at the same time.
Our contingent arrived in Tel Aviv on 27 November 1994.The two-to-three-hour drive to our Camp rom the airport seemed never-ending. We were all tired since we had been travelling for about 24 hours at his point. Our welcome to the camp was amazing. Everyone was out waiting for us to arrive and to welcome us. They carried our luggage to our barrack rooms and trailers. They made us feel like family. Three months later it was our turn to welcome new arrivals the same way.
Other than dealing with different currencies such as Israeli, Syrian, American, and Canadian, my job as a Finance Clerk was no different in the Golan than in Canada. Of course, the different exchange rates could mess you up, just like when I was working in Europe. It was the secondary duties that were so different. I was part of the Auxiliary Fire. Department. In late February 1995, we were called out to assist with a fire in an open field. This field had unexploded mines so we could only surround it to ensure that it did not spread. That was a concern as it was relatively close to a storage location that contained fuel and other flammable items. The only fun time of this duty was when we gave our Camp a demonstration of how a fire truck works. I messed up with the force of the water spray tap, and the members holding the hose had difficulty controlling it at first. Th is cost me a few coffees.
For a reason that I no longer remember, I had made a bet with one of the Corporals in the mess hall. I won the bet and to honour it he arranged for a very special meal for me, complete with wine, something that had to be approved by the Camp Regimental Sergeant-Major (RSM). It was specifically made just for me, and I had my own table. On his day off, this young man cooked the meal, dressed in a suit and served me my lunch. The picture does not show all the laughs we had that day. To my shame and regret,I cannot remember his name as I did not write it down, but the wonderful memory still makes me smile.
Another great memory was going to a civilian hairdresser in Tiberius. What a night that first visit was. Four of us had booked appointments. The first one was at 4pm and we did riot leave that salon until midnight. The owner only spoke a few words of English. Fortunately, his wife was more fluent. They ordered pizzas for us. It was my first party in a hair salon. He gave me what he called my"Marine hair-cut". It was definitely shorter than quite a few of the men's cuts. I loved it and it was the easiest haircut to care for that I have ever had, but I was concerned about what the RSM would say when he saw it. At that time females could not have haircuts ``so short as to give a male appearance': His only comment was on the colour.
I have always considered myself fortunate to be on this tour as I was not originally slated to go. I filled in for a coworker who was unable to leave Canada will never forget the sights of lsrael and Syria, the friendliness of some Syrian business owners, the difficulties of being a Western woman in a Muslim country, and most of all how fabulous Canada is. I no longer take for granted the little things of being a Canadian.
I am originally from Neepawa, Manitoba. My father worked for Canadian National Railway, and as a result, we lived in several small towns in southern Manitoba as I was growing up. I currently reside in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
I moved to Ottawa, Ontario in 1977 and from there, at the age of 24, as a single parent, I joined the Military. My trade was Mobile Support Equipment Operator. I served proudly from 1977 to 2011.
My first posting was to Winnipeg, Manitoba. As a Mobile Support Equipment Operator I operated staff cars, buses, tractor trailers, heavy equipment such as snow plows and snow blowers and aircraft refueling equipment.
I was posted to Ottawa, Ontario in 1986. In Ottawa I worked as a driver in General Purpose Vehicles and Heavy Cargo and as a dispatcher. I also worked as an assistant to the Career Managers at National Defence Headquarters. In August of 1988 I was on a Continuous French Course for a year. I was promoted to the rank of Master Corporal in early 1991 It was in Ottawa where I was selected for a Peacekeeping Mission in the Golan Heights, Israel with the United Nations Disengagement Observation Force.
In 1991 I was posted to CFB Winnipeg, Manitoba. I retired from the Regular Force in 1996. From there I joined the Reserves. In 2008 I was promoted to Sergeant. I was employed at 1 Canadian Air Division as Assistant to the Air Force Fleet manager. I retired at the age of 60 in 2011.
United Nations Disengagement Observation Force
Golan Heights, Israel
05 June 1990 to 03 December 1990
I was deployed to the Golan Heights from June to December of 1990. We were only the second draft to include females.
Golan Heights is at the Area of Separation between Israel and Syria. Although they are only a few miles apart, culturally they are years apart. As women we had a very strict code of dress when we crossed the Area of Separation into Syria. Our uniform came with shorts as we were in the Middle East but when going to Syria we were not allowed to wear shorts, we had to wear the long pants.
When at the Market Place in Syria we would be accompanied by men and most speaking would be done by the men. There were some scary moments when you could see some of the men looking at you with what felt like hatred. One great exception was a gentleman was walking with a young girl who appeared to be around seven. He was pushing her towards me, encouraging her to talk to me. I went to her and gave her a Canada pin.
Once I was tasked to take 4 trucks close to the Area of Separation as there was a piece of heavy equipment digging a ditch there. The Observers had been told it was an irrigation ditch but the dimensions suggested an anti tank ditch. This was in contravention of the 1974 agreement to not make a certain area on either side of the Area of Separation any more Military ready. We went out and surrounded the piece of heavy equipment so he couldn't continue to dig. At this point there were Syrian and UN soldiers in attendance. As I got out of the truck and reached back for my flack jacket and then my weapon the Syrian soldier remarked "holy (expletive) women and weapons." For the duration of the time there I had to call on a male Private to pass on everything I said even though the Syrian soldier was standing right in front of me.
There also were a few instances of this on the Israeli side but for the most part we were treated with respect. I did get asked why my husband would allow me to come here. Once I had a man ask me if he could back up my truck as he didn't think a woman could back up a big truck.
One of my fondest memories was when I was in Haifa. I was stopped in a residential area and I saw, coming towards me, three young boys. One was riding a bike, one a horse and one a donkey. That pretty much summed up life in Israel for me.
Born in Sioux Lookout On. July 1957. While still an infant his family returned to Winnipeg Mb. After almost completing High School he joined the Canadian Forces July 1976. Upon completion of basic training in CFB Cornwallis NS, he went to CFB Kingston for training as a Rad Op (radio operator).
July 1977 Glen was posted to 3 RCHA SIGS TP, CFB Shilo MB. Working in various detachments, doing on the job training learned more about his trade. November 1978, he was attached to73 CDN SIGS SQN in Ismailia Egypt for his first United Nations mission, UNEFME. His job was to maintain secure Radioteletype links. May 1978, back to 3 RCHA
August 1980 was a big move, 4 CMBG HQ & SIGS SQN, CFB Lahr West Germany. During his time here he was first in Radio Tp, then Radio Relay Tp. Working as drivers for liaison officers, dispatch driver, various tactical radio detachments and radio relay repeater. Germany saw his receiving his corporal chevrons. In the fall of 1984 Glen met Roswitha (Rosi), just before getting posted back to Canada.
August 1984, CTC SIGS TP, CFB Gagetown, NB. The job of this unit was to support the various training schools on base. Running PA systems, communications personnel for exercises and loaning out equipment to the schools. December 1984 a quick trip back to Germany to bring Rosi to Canada to be his bride.
August 1988 a return trip to CFB Shilo, This time to 731 COM SQN. This unit was responsible for strategic communications from North Western Ontario, Manitoba & Saskatchewan. It was during this time, back to the Middle East for his second U.N. tour. September 1991 went to UNDOF in The Golan Heights in occupied Syria. Glen was attached to FINBATT (Finnish Battalion) providing communications to and from Damascus. March 1992 back to 731.
1992, last posting. Off to the home town of Winnipeg with 2PPCLI SIGS PL. Once again off on an U.N. mission. April to October 1993, 2 PPCLI BG was off to UNPORFOR in the former Yugoslav Republic. As the 2 I/C of the RRB detachment time was spent alternating between the garrison duties and being deployed.
In 1994 the military started to down size under the Force Reduction Program. At the ripe age of 39 in July 1995, VETARN.
Due to his young age, and with 2 children Glen continued working. In 2003, with the kids out of the house, he joined The Royal Canadian Legion.
