Veterans Recognition Awards Recipients 2015 – Short Bios Mcpl
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Veterans Recognition Awards Recipients 2015 – Short Bios MCpl David A. Campbell David Campbell was born in Charlottetown. He enlisted in 721 Communications Regiment in 1973. He trained as a radio teletype operator and became a military training instructor. In addition to Brighton Compound, he served at Camp Debert, CFB Gagetown, and CFB Halifax. In 1976, he was attached to 1 Signals Regiment, Kingston, and worked as a switchboard operator as part of the security detail for the XXI Summer Olympic Games in Montreal. In 1977, he took a posting with 444 Helicopter Squadron and served overseas as a radio operator in Lahr, West Germany. Unfortunately, during that tour, he suffered a serious line crew accident when he was struck by a telephone pole. Sadly, this ultimately led to a medical discharge from the Forces. Some people would have been decimated by such a setback, but not MCpl Campbell. Despite his physical limitations he continued the military motto of “service before self” working as an educational assistant at Birchwood Intermediate School. In his spare time he established clothing shops which have outfitted hundreds of students. He also paid out of pocket for many students to have lunches, and he successfully mentored students who overcame drug addictions. He also initiated numerous creative initiatives which connected students with veterans. These included: flowers for veterans where special needs students grew geraniums from seed and then plant the flowers on veterans’ graves from the First and Second World Wars. As well, on November 5 each year he coordinates with schools in Holland. On the same day that Dutch children place flowers on the graves of Canadians, he takes students to Whisperwood Villa so they can meet with veterans. A member of the school community wrote these words about him, “He truly goes the extra mile for students and co-workers…I feel indebted to this man as he gives of himself over and over.” MCpl David A. Campbell, a veteran who has served his country, and who continues to serve the students and veterans of Charlottetown. Cpl Kevin George Compton Corporal Kevin Compton grew up in Charlottetown. On 18 May 1974 he signed on with the Air Force. After completing his basic training he was stationed at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta. He worked as a supply technician and his duties included shipping, receiving, deliveries, and managing the supplies necessary on a military base. In addition to Cold Lake, he also served at CFB Sioux Look-out, and CFB Petawawa. In April 1978 he was sent to the Middle East and served a six month tour as a Canadian Peacekeeper on the UN Base at Ismalia, Egypt. He was responsible for issuing and managing clothing stores on the base. Danger was ever present. Just two years before, a Canadian Hercules Transport plane was shot down by a surface to air missile killing nine Canadians on board. MCpl Compton remembers boarding a plane for leave in Germany and being shocked to see Egyptian soldiers in full combats lining the runways. Was history about to repeat itself? Fortunately for him it did not. There were also moments of profound meaning including a trip to Palestine. Cpl Compton recalls an awesome feeling of travelling on the very roads that Christ walked. There was another moment on that trip when PEI and the Middle East became almost connected. He was pulling out of Tel Aviv when he came across a fellow Islander. His friend pulled out four cans of PEI lobster and in Cpl Compton’s own words, ‘it was the best meal I ever had.” Cpl Kevin George Compton wears the United Nations Emergency Force II medal. LCdr Greg Davis Lieutenant Commander Greg Davis first donned a military uniform at the age of 16 as an air cadet with the 774 Air Cadet Corps, St. Anthony Newfoundland. Enrolling in the Royal Canadian Air Force at Corner Brook in 1980, he left Newfoundland to complete Basic Training at CFB Cornwallis and trades training at CFB Borden as an Air Frame Tech. Upon completion he was posted to CFB Summerside where he worked with 413 Squadron until 1985, when he left the military to further his university education. After completing an undergraduate and Master of Divinity degree he was ordained in the United Church of Canada. In 1995, he accepted a ministry call in Charlottetown, and also enlisted as a military chaplain to HMCS QUEEN CHARLOTTE. In 2002, he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. He has held the following positions: Regional Chaplain (Eastern, Western, and Atlantic), Deputy Formation Chaplain, and Formation Chaplain. He is also presently serving the congregations at Trinity/Clifton United Churches. Recently a colleague noted “Greg provides exceptional and compassionate care as a chaplain. From his decades of military experience he expertly grasps the fine balance between fitting in and maintaining his spiritual integrity. This has resulted in respect and admiration from all ranks”. He is married to Ellen and they have three sons. LCdr Davis wears the Canadian Forces Decoration and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. MCpl Ronald Duffy Master Corporal Ronald Brendon Duffy was born and grew up in Charlottetown. He joined 721 Communications Regiment in 1960 and served until 1996. He took his Basic Training in the old Charlottetown Armouries, and spent much of his Reservist Service in Brighton Compound. He participated on training exercises throughout the Maritimes including Camp Aldershot, Base Gagetown, and Camp Debert. His responsibilities in the unit included working in the pay office and in stores. MCpl Duffy has high praise for the other members of the unit and believes that the friendships he made in the Signals will last him a lifetime. MCpl Ronald Duffy wears the Canadian Forces Decoration with clasp and the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal. CWO Michel Guay Chief Warrant Officer Michel Guay was born in Montreal and joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1972. After Basic Training he was trained as an aero-engine technician at CFB Borden. His first posting was to CFB Summerside, PEI. He also served at 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron at CFB Edmonton, and with 12 Air Maintenance Squadron in CFB Halifax. Over the years his determined work ethic and dedication to his duties has helped him to rise through the ranks until he became Chief Warrant Officer. He has served several overseas tours including: in the Arabian Gulf on board HMCS Toronto as part of Operation Determination in 1997, and in Kosovo and Bosnia as the Chief Warrant Officer of the Rotary Wing Aviation Units in 1999, 2000, and in 2002. In 2008 he retired from the CAF and was hired by the Office of the Veterans Ombudsman in Charlottetown. At present he is the Director of Corporate Services and Charlottetown Operations. During his time in Kosovo and Bosnia he witnessed human genocide, first hand. The degradation of human life affected him deeply. It provided him with overwhelming gratitude for the democratic traditions and freedoms enjoyed by Canadians. One of his most rewarding moments came when he was serving in Kosovo with 430 Squadron. They noticed that a nearby school had been destroyed and the children were meeting in a tent without even boots during the harsh winter weather. Together the Canadians built those children a new school and provided them with proper winter clothing. Witnessing the joy on their faces is something he will never forget. CWO Michael Guay wears the Canadian Forces Decoration with two clasps, the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal, the Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal, the Special Service Medal, and the Order of Military Merit. Major Trevor Jain Major Trevor Jain was born in London, Ontario and grew up in the Annapolis Valley, NS. In 1987 he enlisted and served as an infantry officer with the West Nova Scotia Regiment. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Acadia University, he began medical studies at Dalhousie University. While still a student he was called upon to set up and supervise the morgue for the Swiss Air Disaster in September 1998. In recognition of his devoted and unprecedented actions to provide dignity to the victims of this tragic disaster, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the Governor General. A year later he graduated as doctor of medicine. After completing family residency program in Ottawa he transferred to the regular force as a medical officer where he soon deployed as the resuscitation officer at a Role 3 field hospital in Bosnia. He has done multiple domestic operations including the G8 summit. He returned to university in 2005 where he graduated from the Royal College Emergency Medicine speciality at Queens University. He has served for many years as an ER doctor at Charlottetown’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Major Jain’s numerous military qualifications are extensive. Some of his certifications include: Infantry company commander, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Armoured driver, dive medicine officer, flight surgeon and an emergency medicine specialist . In 2014 he graduated with a Master of Science degree in Disaster Medicine from the University of Brussels, Belgium and the University of Avogadro Piedmont in Novara, Italy. His research was recently chosen and was presented to NATO in Paris, France. He is the Medical director of the Paramedicine program at Holland college and recently has implemented a Bachelors of Science of Paramedicine Program at UPEI. Over the years he has served with the Governor General Foot Guards in Ottawa and as a medical specialist in Kingston, Ontario, Fort Pickett, Virginia, Goose Bay, Labrador and numerous exercises at CFB Gagetown. Presently he is a member of the 33 Field Ambulance Unit serving as the Brigade Surgeon for 36 Canadian Brigade Group.