Find us on Facebook 1947 - 2017 StagShilo WE WILL MATCH... ADVERTISED PRICES ON ELECTRONICS, CAMERAS, facebook.com/canex.ca COMPUTERS & MAJOR APPLIANCES. DETAILS ARE Your source for Army news in Manitoba AVAILABLE INSTORE OR ONLINE AT WWW.CANEX.CA Volume 56 Issue 21 Serving Shilo, Sprucewoods & Douglas since 1947 November 2, 2017 INSIDE This Issue LEST WE FORGET Corporal enjoys giving back as volunteer. Page 2 Soldier sends letter home from Belgium. Page 7 Before leaving for France to face the Germans in the Battle of Vimy Ridge a century ago, brothers Harold (sitting) and Bill May trained for their Great War experience at Camp Hughes in 1916. Assigned to the 61st Battalion with the Winnipeg Rifl es, Bill May was wounded by shrapnel to the leg during the Battle of Vimy Ridge. His older brother was left for dead on the battlefi eld after a shell exploded nearby and his cheek, chin and shoulder sustained horrifi c wounds. Three days later, he was found in the mud alive Lots of laughs playing when fellow soldiers were out picking up corpses on the battlefi eld. Harold May was of the fi rst recipients of reconstructive surgery. earth ball. Page 10 Bill would return from the war and take a job at Camp Shilo in 1942, where he worked until retiring in 1961. For more on the May family and their connection to Camp Hughes and Camp Shilo, see page 6. Photos courtesy grandchildren Kathleen Mowbray/Kelvin Schrot 2 Shilo Stag November 2, 2017 Corporal enjoys giving back by volunteering Sarah Francis natural position for her. Shilo Stag “I’m fl attered, I’m honoured. It’s always nice to be recognized for something we do.” Volunteerism has been a large part of She joked about being unsure if Cpl Isabelle Thibodeau’s military career. she would call the Shilo Stag back Her interest in the military was piqued after being asked for an interview. from a drive to do more, and leave fac- “I have to fi ght that introvert tory work. personality. That’s also why I put From Saint-Georges de Beauce, Que., myself out there [and volunteer] Cpl Thibodeau also studied accounting because if Iwas really myself, you before looking to the military. Patriotism wouldn’t see me out anywhere.” was the inspiration for her to join the Ca- Cpl Thibodeau has also been nadian Armed Forces (CAF) at the age involved in Op HONOUR initia- 39. tives at CFB Shilo. The choice of career has defi nitely had “We did a lot of courses that it challenges, but she’s been determined empowered us to understand be- to persist. cause — my fi rst step to take part “I’m not strong. I’m not fast. I’m not of Op HONOUR was to under- sport-oriented, but I will always — I will stand why. Because when I’m un- try to smile and just [say] ‘Let’s do it!’ I’m der pressure or someone does me not competitive, so I’m having more fun, harm, I just obliterate everything but it pushes me [to] my limits.” and put it in the wardrobe and Currently, the supply technician can move on. be found working in customer accounts, “So I was wondering what when she’s not out volunteering. Cpl Isabelle Thibodeau had help with painting preparation from Juno during the recent drove those people to fi ght back. “Every time they ask for a volunteer, I United Way Day of Caring event held in Brandon. Photo Sarah Francis What they were going through raise my hand,” said Cpl Thibodeau. and how I could help.” Recently promoted to her current rank, To her, one important step is let- Cpl Thibodeau told the Shilo Stag her co- a soldier.” ting people know they can speak to the Op HONOUR workers are supportive and make her volunteerism She’s had experiences helping with United Way team if they’re in need. possible. She was recently acknowledged for this Day of Caring, cadets, as well as the Amazing Race “It can be at work, it can be outside of work, outside when 3CDSG Comd Col Scott McKenzie presented at CFB Shilo, and the Kiwanis Car Derby in Brandon. on the street. [Say], ‘I have something to tell you, do her with a 3CDSG Command Team coin for all her “I was up in Cochrane [Alberta] at the Rocky Moun- you have fi ve minutes. It’s not only for Base side,” she work she has done with the Op HONOUR team on tain Cadet Training Centre all summer long,” she said. explained. this Base, as well as all her volunteer work she has While working at the cadet camp, Cpl Thibodeau “Of course it’s aimed to military [members], because done in the Westman Region. fi lled in as a supervisor on a hike, and joked the cadets we know civilians have they’re own phone numbers “I’m grateful and thankful, but beyond the award were probably slowing the pace for her. and [resources]. Nothing prevents them from talking it’s all the people who allow me to be who I am,” she “I volunteered because no one wanted to go hiking,” to us either. We’re there to support. It’s really an emer- explained. “The people I work with, in their own way, she recalled. “I don’t like hiking. I don’t like camping. gency support cell.” it’s because of them I have this award. They’re sup- The cadets were outstanding and I had to follow. They She added, the team is more of a middle man and portive. I volunteer a lot. I’m devoted, I like doing that go fast and it’s in the mountains.” are not in a position to give someone advice. stuff.” She said overall she had a blast with the group on “You’re overwhelmed with emotion and you don’t While she wasn’t involved before her military ca- the trip. know where to turn. You don’t want to be judged, you reer, Cpl Thibodeau said it’s important for her to be “I didn’t have a lot of contact with the cadets, but don’t want to confi de to anyone. You don’t want to be able to take part in volunteer activities. Especially it was nice. The team was wonderful. All the offi cer judged, rejected or labelled,” she offered. now that she is a member of the military. cadets were kind.” “So you can turn to us. We can listen. We can give “The military, they’ve offered me the opportunity of Part of the great opportunity of volunteering is you people you can call. We don’t give you advice. doing a lot of volunteering that I didn’t do as a civil- meeting the other people involved. Many of whom We’re not counsellors. It’s more to help you enter into ian. The community and the military are closer than she’s worked with on various occasions. a process of having — maybe not healing, but the pro- it appears,” she explained. “They depend on one an- Cpl Thibodeau said it was wonderful to be recog- cess to say that something happened.” other. Giving back to the community is part of being nized for her hard work, however, the spotlight isn’t a Pet of the Week PetBAXTER of the This is Baxter. According to owner Hailey Sorenson, he’s a rotti mixed with a blue heeler. Pet of the He loves cuddles and also Petloves to run around of outside.the He Petis a caring dogof that somehow Veterinary services knows when you are upset and focused on all aspects will come and cuddle you until of your pets’ care you feel better. He loves playing Pet of Petfetch of and being chased as a game. He also loves playing and meeting new dogs. Do you CARING EXCLUSIVELY FOR PETS have a photo of your pet — cat, PetD r. Sandyof Barclay, Owner and Director | Dr. Tracy Radcliffe, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist dog, bird, snake, hamster — you’d like to share with our Stag To arrange an appointment call 204-728-9140 readers? If so, e-mail it to us via or visit www.brandonanimalclinic.ca [email protected] 2015-A Brandon Avenue, Brandon, MB R7B 4E5 Pet of the Pet of theHours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Saturday 9:00 am - Noon November 2, 2017 Shilo Stag 3 Board apologizes to Shiloʼs MFRC executive director To the staff of the MFRC and Shilo by applying valuable lessons learned community: from this situation, and to re-establish In May 2017, there was a concern a solid, effective working relationship brought to our attention involving Shi- amongst all parties, but of primary im- lo’s MFRC. In response to this, Shilo’s portance with the head of our opera- MFRC board of directors, with the best tions, our executive director Williemien of intentions and with the knowledge Van Lankvelt. we had at the time, took steps to ad- The board of directors would like dress the concern which had arisen. to apologize for the stress and hostile The board of directors made the deci- work environment created as a result of sion to suspend the executive director, board decisions. We also apologize that with no income loss, while conducting this got to the point where the Base and a third party investigation. Following Military Family Services have withheld the third party review of the concern, funding and the additional stress that it was determined the actions taken may have caused the staff.