2PPCLI commemorates Battle of Medak Pocket
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/09/2018 (2740 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
CFB SHILO — A sunset ceremony was held at Canadian Forces Base Shilo on Friday night, marking the start of a weekend celebration of the Battle of Medak Pocket.
The ceremony was conducted by the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, at the Kapyong Barracks.
The Battle of Medak “was a pretty significant event in all our lives,” said Anthony Kaduck, a retired company commander who served at the battle.
The Battle of Medak Pocket was a 1993 United Nations military operation in the former Yugoslavia. At the time, almost half of the peacekeepers serving in the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry were peacekeepers.
“To come here and see all the people you haven’t seen in 25 years, when you lived through this intense experience, it’s just great. It’s like going home,” Kaduck said.
The event featured a military drill, music and a rifle salute called a “feu-de-joie,” followed by a pig roast serving as a reunion for service members who served at Medak.
“It’s good to remember the good and the bad,” Kaduck said.
“It’s important to us … It was a tough tour, and a lot of people saw some pretty grisly things (and) you can really only share that with people who lived it.”
The sunset ceremony serves as calling home of warriors, and was led by Maj. Patrick Brown.
Participants have spent three weeks preparing for the event in the parade square, practicing the sequence of drills and commands that were presented to guests.
“Seeing all the veterans out here — it’s pretty impressive to be a part of this stage of history of the battalion,” Brown said.
“It fills you with pride to be involved and to be able to commemorate an important part in our regimental history.”
He said that he hopes audiences at the event are able to understand the significance of the sunset ceremony and the important place the Battle of Medak Pocket holds in Canadian history.
“It’s a very big symbol to call as many people back to Kapyong Barracks to celebrate and commemorate the Medak Pocket,” Brown said, adding that it was an honour to meet the veterans of Medak and share a beer with them.
Another ceremony marking the Battle of Medak Pocket will be held on Sunday.
» ckemp@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp