Happy reunions as CFB Shilo troops return from Latvia

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This article was published 09/12/2022 (1106 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Mya Hebert had the best surprise gift for Christmas this year.

The eight-year-old’s dad is a member of the 1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, which has been stationed in Latvia for the last six months, and she hadn’t seen him since September when he was briefly home for leave, just before she’d started the school year.

Her mom, telling a little fib to surprise her daughter, had told her that her dad was returning home on Friday, and on Thursday night they were just going to Kapyong Barracks on CFB Shilo to pick up some of his things ahead of time. To Mya’s surprise, her dad walked into the building.

“I knew that we were going to pick up his luggage, and then he was just here,” Mya said. “It feels awesome.”

Mya gave her dad a big hug, her eyes wet with tears. Her dad then picked his girl up in his arms and Mya, smiling, pressed her cheek to his as her mom, Amber Smith, smiling, looked on.

“I’m the calm, cool, collected one,” Smith said. “I’m kind of holding everybody else together, and I will feel things later.”

The scene was one of several happy reunions to take place in the hallway of Kapyong Barracks as 120 members of 1RCHA and 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry arrived home from their overseas deployment to Latvia shortly after 11 p.m. on Thursday.

In total, 500 members of those regiments were deployed as part of Operation Reassurance, having departed in June. Besides those who returned Thursday night, others came home about a week ago, and more are expected next week. Another 100 members of the CFB Shilo-based regiments left for Latvia on Tuesday for their six-month deployment.

The purpose of Operation Reassurance, which began in 2014, is to support NATO’s presence, deterrence and defence in Eastern and Central Europe. That mission has taken on added significance given the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Mya’s dad, vehicle technician Master Cpl. Pierre-luc Hebert, agreed the operation came with some anxiety.

“A little bit, because you’re always wondering what’s next, especially with the world situation these days,” he said, adding now that he’s home his first task is to relax with his family.

Down the hall, 1RCHA weapons technician Master Cpl. Martin Boileau said it was “wonderful” to be home for Christmas as he was welcomed by his wife and children.

“Especially these two little ones,” Boileau said, referring to his youngest sons, aged five and seven. “They want me there, so it’s really important for me to be there.”

Boileau’s wife, Melissa, said it was good to have her husband home to be with him in person, instead of talking over a video call. After spending time with their five kids, the two of them will head to Winnipeg by themselves for together time.

“We’re going Christmas shopping next weekend, just the two of us, to reconnect,” she said.

Master Cpl. Adam Cole of 2PPCLI was greeted by his fiancé Cat Cellucci. “Super happy” to be back, Cole said, adding he looked forward to spending time with Cellucci, seeing his dog and grabbing some good food.

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