Operation Reassurance
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/06/2025 (287 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
CFB SHILO — Hugs, tears and smiles were the main themes Wednesday evening when about 150 soldiers returned home to their families from overseas.
“I’m so ecstatic,” said Capt. Greg Merritt about being able to see his two-year-old daughter again. “Just seeing her, seeing how much she’s grown, going from two years old and barely speaking to now whole sentences. It means a lot.”
Hundreds of family members lined up in front of the Kapyong Barracks at CFB Shilo to greet the returning troops from Latvia. They were sent there as part of Operation Reassurance, a NATO mission meant to deter Russian activity in former Soviet Union territory, which Latvia was a part of.
Some children held up signs reading “Welcome Home Daddy,” and “We Love You” as three buses escorted by fire trucks drove to the base from Winnipeg, after soldiers landed from the eastern European country.
Merritt said it’s amazing to be able to see his family again, and to be able to hug both his daughter and wife. He said his plans for the next little bit will revolve around spending time with them.
“Spend some time at home, kind of relearn what it means to be a father,” said Merritt. “Probably go do some camping at some point for sure, and just really relax.”
While he was always missing his family, he knew the work he was doing in Latvia also had an impact on his daughter.
“What we’re doing, I know is going to impact her,” he said. “It’s definitely worth the sacrifice.”
Merritt’s wife, Morgan, said it has been a struggle to be without her husband for the last six months.
“It’s been a really long six months,” said Morgan. “It’s hard when you have little kids — you’re doing it all on your own and they ask where he is.”
“I think it was more important for me to see her hug him than me to hug him.”
Another soldier was welcomed by his three children and wife, who all said it was great to see their dad and husband again.
Capt. Peter Nadasdy said it’s amazing to be reunited after so long.
“Very happy and filled with joy to see them again after six months,” said Nadasdy. “It’s a good feeling to reunite and be home with them.”
Eight-year-old Brighton said “it feels weird” to be able to hug his dad again after not seeing him for so long, but that he was definitely happy to see him again.
Brighton’s mom, Nicole, said it means everything to see her husband again.
“It just means that he’s home, that he’s here, that he can be around now,” said Nicole, while tearing up. “Extremely happy.”
» alambert@brandonsun.com
