Our thanks to Bill Bishop & Gary Alexander - the hosts of the 400 Squadron gathering in August 2010 for their contribution to this.
Showing posts with label Afghanistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Afghanistan. Show all posts
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Thank you Card from the Canadian Forces
Just received an official "thank you" card from the soldiers of the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan, for the gifts of Tim Horton Coffee Cards that we sent over the Holidays & New Year, for our Coffee For Kandahar initiative.
Our thanks to Bill Bishop & Gary Alexander - the hosts of the 400 Squadron gathering in August 2010 for their contribution to this.
Our thanks to Bill Bishop & Gary Alexander - the hosts of the 400 Squadron gathering in August 2010 for their contribution to this.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Highway of Heroes - The Trews
This video & the Canadian band behind the song (The Trews) has been gaining a lot of attention. Rightfully so...
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Follow up from 408 Sqn member in Afghanistan
Hello Again Patty,
Sure is a small place indeed. There were a few people from "The Sandbar" when I was at Chatham & Gagetown. My wife had never been out East so I took her to PEI a couple years ago. The drive on the bridge was really something! I have relatives in Edmonton. My uncle used to work with the Water Works. Took them down to Vegas last September 11th. Guess we're due to visit them one summer in the near future.
I remember Derek Blatchford from my days with 400, and as a matter of fact, he emailed me last week to comment on a rare clip I posted at my Blog on the Avro Arrow, narrated by Star Trek's "Scotty".
Well, you Stay Safe!
Cheers,
Freddy K
On 24-Jan-10, at 3:08 AM, Patricia.MacWilliams wrote:
Hi there, it sure is a small world. My home is PEI I am serving with 408 Sqn in Edmonton. We have a few 400 Sqn pers serving with us here that are attached to 408 Sqn for deployment. You may have come across a Capt Blatchford as he was old 400 Sqn and served with us for a few years he is now retired. Little did I know when I sent back a Thank You note that it was to a former serving 400 Sqn pers. My husband also retired in 97 and joined the Edmonton Fire Dept and now is on his second career. The world really is a small place no matter where we are in the world we may run into someone we know. My husband said the same thing an opportunity came up to be a Fire Inspector and work straight days and he took it and loves it. Well I must get back to work.
Take Care
Patty
From: Fred Kuzyk
Sent: Saturday, 23, January, 2010 21:13 PM
To: MacWilliams WO
Subject: Re: Hello There
Good Day to you Patty!
Thank you for your letter. It's great to hear first-person accounts of serving personnel over there.
So where do you call home? I've pretty much lived my whole life in the Golden Horseshoe around the west end of Lake Ontario. (Toronto, Hamilton, Burlington, and Grimsby).
I was a Corporal with 400 squadron 30 years ago at Downsview (CFB Toronto) during the transition from Otters to Kiowa helicopters. It was only 4 short years but had a profound impact on my life.
My deployments included such exotic places as Borden & North Bay! I was promised Lahr or Baden Germany one year but ended up in Gagetown (which was a huge disappointment)!
Those were different days, as we never were in harm's way. Although afterwards when I was with the Fire Department in Hamilton, I read about a former squadron pilot I knew who had died in a Sea King crash. I also lost my best squadron buddy in the early 1990's when he committed suicide. Those were the closest experiences I had to tragedy. Pretty much all our mishaps during those peace-time years were self-inflicted! I ran a website for 8 years (and email Newsletters) dedicated to those CAF days with 400 Sqn, with pictures, stories, songs, etc but Yahoo recently closed down the free sites.
There still is a following of alumni from the unit from my time, as well as some folk who go back to the 1950's and those from more current years, so rather than launching another site, I've been posting stuff to my Blog. I've posted your letter there. You'll find postings there of my various interests, such as aviation items, fire service, music, videos and such. Including the 400 Squadron Song we used to sing.
http://freddyksblogoff.blogspot.com/
Do you folks still sing bawdy songs in the mess? We had quite a "set-list" back in our day, such as: The North Atlantic Squadron, Three German Soldiers, Roll Me Over in the Clover, Barnacle Bill The Sailor, and many others. I had forgotten about The Airman's Prayer, until I came across a reference with music & lyrics in a book recently. I'm working on posting it soon at my Blog as a music video. Apparently it goes back to the RAF in the 1930's & we sang a modified RCAF version of it..."May the Lord shit on you sideways said the airmen Amen"! I wouldn't be surprised if things are more politically correct these dys, as 25 years in the Fire Service has seen radical changes in this world - the days of military veterans has transformed to days of young college men & women, and the pin-up pictures are gone from lockers!
I'll be 55 next year & with the Air Force time I bought when I started as a firefighter, I'll have my 30 year pension. So it will be nice to work on those memoirs & just relax. The 60 hour shifts & nights have taken a toll over the years.
Nice to hear that the Horton's will be mobile & able to go to the next hot-spot. The way things are going, that might be Haiti!
Well, find me a length of hangar line & a bucket of prop wash! Keep 'em flying!
Keep your head down, Warrant.
Best wishes,
Freddy K
On 23-Jan-10, at 1:33 AM, Patricia.MacWilliams wrote:
Good morning to you. I am a female Canadian Soldier deployed with
CHF(A) ( Canadian Helicopter Force Afghanistan). We received some Xmas
Cards with Tim Horton gift certificates in them and cannot tell you how
greatfull we are for your generous support to the troops. For you to
take the time to send a card & a Tim Cards means a lot to our soldiers.
A little background on myself this is my first deployment here and what
an experience. Being here is not easy and especially at Christmas time.
We here had it rough over the holidays while our loved one were sitting
down to enjoy Christmas Eve we were on the ramp sending another Canadian
home from the war. Then of course New Years Day we were back again
sending four more home. This sure plays on your emotion and when most
are missing home at that time it did not make it easy. But we all know
what we are here for and pulled together to make the best of the holiday
season. I must say the support that we received over the holidays from
fellow Canadians was amazing. Little did I know that so many Canadians
would take the time from their busy sechedules to either send a note or
a card to any Canadian Soldiers. I have watched some who do not receive
much from home and getting these words of support means a lot to them.
Some have been coresponding with the letters that we passed on to them.
We here at the Helicopter Squadron tried to repond to any with a return
address. Sorry it took a month to get a note of Thanks off to you. I
will close again with a great big Thanks from all of us here with
Canadian Helicopter Force. The Timies is a great welcome to our troops.
Just found out that they are moving the location to be closer to where
the Canadians are housed and when deployment here in 2011 is complete it
will be portable and be sent to the next deployment that Canada is
called out for.
Again Thanks Very Much
Patty MacWilliams
Warrant Officer
Canadian Helicopter Force Afghanistan
Sure is a small place indeed. There were a few people from "The Sandbar" when I was at Chatham & Gagetown. My wife had never been out East so I took her to PEI a couple years ago. The drive on the bridge was really something! I have relatives in Edmonton. My uncle used to work with the Water Works. Took them down to Vegas last September 11th. Guess we're due to visit them one summer in the near future.
I remember Derek Blatchford from my days with 400, and as a matter of fact, he emailed me last week to comment on a rare clip I posted at my Blog on the Avro Arrow, narrated by Star Trek's "Scotty".
Well, you Stay Safe!
Cheers,
Freddy K
On 24-Jan-10, at 3:08 AM, Patricia.MacWilliams wrote:
Hi there, it sure is a small world. My home is PEI I am serving with 408 Sqn in Edmonton. We have a few 400 Sqn pers serving with us here that are attached to 408 Sqn for deployment. You may have come across a Capt Blatchford as he was old 400 Sqn and served with us for a few years he is now retired. Little did I know when I sent back a Thank You note that it was to a former serving 400 Sqn pers. My husband also retired in 97 and joined the Edmonton Fire Dept and now is on his second career. The world really is a small place no matter where we are in the world we may run into someone we know. My husband said the same thing an opportunity came up to be a Fire Inspector and work straight days and he took it and loves it. Well I must get back to work.
Take Care
Patty
From: Fred Kuzyk
Sent: Saturday, 23, January, 2010 21:13 PM
To: MacWilliams WO
Subject: Re: Hello There
Good Day to you Patty!
Thank you for your letter. It's great to hear first-person accounts of serving personnel over there.
So where do you call home? I've pretty much lived my whole life in the Golden Horseshoe around the west end of Lake Ontario. (Toronto, Hamilton, Burlington, and Grimsby).
I was a Corporal with 400 squadron 30 years ago at Downsview (CFB Toronto) during the transition from Otters to Kiowa helicopters. It was only 4 short years but had a profound impact on my life.
My deployments included such exotic places as Borden & North Bay! I was promised Lahr or Baden Germany one year but ended up in Gagetown (which was a huge disappointment)!
Those were different days, as we never were in harm's way. Although afterwards when I was with the Fire Department in Hamilton, I read about a former squadron pilot I knew who had died in a Sea King crash. I also lost my best squadron buddy in the early 1990's when he committed suicide. Those were the closest experiences I had to tragedy. Pretty much all our mishaps during those peace-time years were self-inflicted! I ran a website for 8 years (and email Newsletters) dedicated to those CAF days with 400 Sqn, with pictures, stories, songs, etc but Yahoo recently closed down the free sites.
There still is a following of alumni from the unit from my time, as well as some folk who go back to the 1950's and those from more current years, so rather than launching another site, I've been posting stuff to my Blog. I've posted your letter there. You'll find postings there of my various interests, such as aviation items, fire service, music, videos and such. Including the 400 Squadron Song we used to sing.
http://freddyksblogoff.blogspot.com/
Do you folks still sing bawdy songs in the mess? We had quite a "set-list" back in our day, such as: The North Atlantic Squadron, Three German Soldiers, Roll Me Over in the Clover, Barnacle Bill The Sailor, and many others. I had forgotten about The Airman's Prayer, until I came across a reference with music & lyrics in a book recently. I'm working on posting it soon at my Blog as a music video. Apparently it goes back to the RAF in the 1930's & we sang a modified RCAF version of it..."May the Lord shit on you sideways said the airmen Amen"! I wouldn't be surprised if things are more politically correct these dys, as 25 years in the Fire Service has seen radical changes in this world - the days of military veterans has transformed to days of young college men & women, and the pin-up pictures are gone from lockers!
I'll be 55 next year & with the Air Force time I bought when I started as a firefighter, I'll have my 30 year pension. So it will be nice to work on those memoirs & just relax. The 60 hour shifts & nights have taken a toll over the years.
Nice to hear that the Horton's will be mobile & able to go to the next hot-spot. The way things are going, that might be Haiti!
Well, find me a length of hangar line & a bucket of prop wash! Keep 'em flying!
Keep your head down, Warrant.
Best wishes,
Freddy K
On 23-Jan-10, at 1:33 AM, Patricia.MacWilliams wrote:
Good morning to you. I am a female Canadian Soldier deployed with
CHF(A) ( Canadian Helicopter Force Afghanistan). We received some Xmas
Cards with Tim Horton gift certificates in them and cannot tell you how
greatfull we are for your generous support to the troops. For you to
take the time to send a card & a Tim Cards means a lot to our soldiers.
A little background on myself this is my first deployment here and what
an experience. Being here is not easy and especially at Christmas time.
We here had it rough over the holidays while our loved one were sitting
down to enjoy Christmas Eve we were on the ramp sending another Canadian
home from the war. Then of course New Years Day we were back again
sending four more home. This sure plays on your emotion and when most
are missing home at that time it did not make it easy. But we all know
what we are here for and pulled together to make the best of the holiday
season. I must say the support that we received over the holidays from
fellow Canadians was amazing. Little did I know that so many Canadians
would take the time from their busy sechedules to either send a note or
a card to any Canadian Soldiers. I have watched some who do not receive
much from home and getting these words of support means a lot to them.
Some have been coresponding with the letters that we passed on to them.
We here at the Helicopter Squadron tried to repond to any with a return
address. Sorry it took a month to get a note of Thanks off to you. I
will close again with a great big Thanks from all of us here with
Canadian Helicopter Force. The Timies is a great welcome to our troops.
Just found out that they are moving the location to be closer to where
the Canadians are housed and when deployment here in 2011 is complete it
will be portable and be sent to the next deployment that Canada is
called out for.
Again Thanks Very Much
Patty MacWilliams
Warrant Officer
Canadian Helicopter Force Afghanistan
Monday, February 15, 2010
Letter from a Combat Engineer in Panjwaii
On 10-Feb-10, at 4:57 AM, Joel Van de Vorst wrote:
Dear Lynn and Fred Kuzyk,
I just wanted to take the time to thank you for your thoughts and prayers for the men and women out here in Afghanistan, not to mention the Tim Hortons gift card.
I am currently located in a platoon house in southeast Panjwaii and happened upon your letter. Once in awhile I'll open them up and send back a letter, however you did not include your address so I figured an email would suffice.
I am a Combat Engineer from 1 CER and attached to Delta Company 1PPCLI. We spend the days patrolling into neighbouring villages and interacting with the locals. The place is very dangerous with IEDs spread throughout our AO. A Combat Engineers job is to confirm the IED and conduct clearances of compounds. Needless to say our tour has been especially busy.
Anyway, just wanted to say thanks again.....your thoughts are appreciated.
Sincerely,
MCpl Van de Vorst
1CER
Hi Joel,
Thank you very much for your letter. Yes, it sounds like you are indeed busy & we wish you well out there amidst the IEDs.
I was a Corporal with the 2ARW (air frame tech) at Downsview back in the late '70's /early 80's. It was a different time then. When we were sent out for deployments, training, or exercises, it meant going back to our rooms in Barracks & spending the nights in the Junior Ranks!
Saw that the troops in Kandhar were watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Vancouver. Glad that they have these little touchstones from home, including the Horton's.
Keeps yourself safe, as we say in the Fire Service.
Cheers,
Fred Kuzyk (Freddy K)
Dear Lynn and Fred Kuzyk,
I just wanted to take the time to thank you for your thoughts and prayers for the men and women out here in Afghanistan, not to mention the Tim Hortons gift card.
I am currently located in a platoon house in southeast Panjwaii and happened upon your letter. Once in awhile I'll open them up and send back a letter, however you did not include your address so I figured an email would suffice.
I am a Combat Engineer from 1 CER and attached to Delta Company 1PPCLI. We spend the days patrolling into neighbouring villages and interacting with the locals. The place is very dangerous with IEDs spread throughout our AO. A Combat Engineers job is to confirm the IED and conduct clearances of compounds. Needless to say our tour has been especially busy.
Anyway, just wanted to say thanks again.....your thoughts are appreciated.
Sincerely,
MCpl Van de Vorst
1CER
Hi Joel,
Thank you very much for your letter. Yes, it sounds like you are indeed busy & we wish you well out there amidst the IEDs.
I was a Corporal with the 2ARW (air frame tech) at Downsview back in the late '70's /early 80's. It was a different time then. When we were sent out for deployments, training, or exercises, it meant going back to our rooms in Barracks & spending the nights in the Junior Ranks!
Saw that the troops in Kandhar were watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Vancouver. Glad that they have these little touchstones from home, including the Horton's.
Keeps yourself safe, as we say in the Fire Service.
Cheers,
Fred Kuzyk (Freddy K)
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Another Letter from Kandahar
Today's post is another letter just received from a Canadian Armed Forces member serving with the helicopters in Afghanistan.
Good morning to you. I am a female Canadian Soldier deployed with
CHF(A) ( Canadian Helicopter Force Afghanistan). We received some Xmas
Cards with Tim Horton gift certificates in them and cannot tell you how
greatfull we are for your generous support to the troops. For you to
take the time to send a card & a Tim Cards means a lot to our soldiers.
A little background on myself this is my first deployment here and what
an experience. Being here is not easy and especially at Christmas time.
We here had it rough over the holidays while our loved one were sitting
down to enjoy Christmas Eve we were on the ramp sending another Canadian
home from the war. Then of course New Years Day we were back again
sending four more home. This sure plays on your emotion and when most
are missing home at that time it did not make it easy. But we all know
what we are here for and pulled together to make the best of the holiday
season. I must say the support that we received over the holidays from
fellow Canadians was amazing. Little did I know that so many Canadians
would take the time from their busy sechedules to either send a note or
a card to any Canadian Soldiers. I have watched some who do not receive
much from home and getting these words of support means a lot to them.
Some have been coresponding with the letters that we passed on to them.
We here at the Helicopter Squadron tried to repond to any with a return
address. Sorry it took a month to get a note of Thanks off to you. I
will close again with a great big Thanks from all of us here with
Canadian Helicopter Force. The Timies is a great welcome to our troops.
Just found out that they are moving the location to be closer to where
the Canadians are housed and when deployment here in 2011 is complete it
will be portable and be sent to the next deployment that Canada is
called out for.
Again Thanks Very Much
Patty MacWilliams
Warrant Officer
Canadian Helicopter Force Afghanistan
Good morning to you. I am a female Canadian Soldier deployed with
CHF(A) ( Canadian Helicopter Force Afghanistan). We received some Xmas
Cards with Tim Horton gift certificates in them and cannot tell you how
greatfull we are for your generous support to the troops. For you to
take the time to send a card & a Tim Cards means a lot to our soldiers.
A little background on myself this is my first deployment here and what
an experience. Being here is not easy and especially at Christmas time.
We here had it rough over the holidays while our loved one were sitting
down to enjoy Christmas Eve we were on the ramp sending another Canadian
home from the war. Then of course New Years Day we were back again
sending four more home. This sure plays on your emotion and when most
are missing home at that time it did not make it easy. But we all know
what we are here for and pulled together to make the best of the holiday
season. I must say the support that we received over the holidays from
fellow Canadians was amazing. Little did I know that so many Canadians
would take the time from their busy sechedules to either send a note or
a card to any Canadian Soldiers. I have watched some who do not receive
much from home and getting these words of support means a lot to them.
Some have been coresponding with the letters that we passed on to them.
We here at the Helicopter Squadron tried to repond to any with a return
address. Sorry it took a month to get a note of Thanks off to you. I
will close again with a great big Thanks from all of us here with
Canadian Helicopter Force. The Timies is a great welcome to our troops.
Just found out that they are moving the location to be closer to where
the Canadians are housed and when deployment here in 2011 is complete it
will be portable and be sent to the next deployment that Canada is
called out for.
Again Thanks Very Much
Patty MacWilliams
Warrant Officer
Canadian Helicopter Force Afghanistan
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Letters from Kandahar
Thought I'd post a couple of letters received from CAF personnel in Afghanistan this Christmas...
Classification: NATO/ISAF UNCLASSIFIED
Good day Lynn & Fred,
My name is Chief Petty Officer Bob Burton, serving in Afghanistan until end of Apr 2010. I checked the mail today and your letter was in it, I always enjoy reading letters from home…home being Canada of course. I was born and raised in Newfoundland and have spent the last 19 ½ years in the Navy (yes you heard it right – NAVY). I volunteered to come and do my part; my brother is also here serving. I have a beautiful wife and 3 great children ages 12, 11 and 2; they will be spending XMas with family in Guysborough, N.S. this year.
Thank you for the Tim’s card, I will think of you and home when I have my next large double double on the boardwalk.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you both!
Regards
Bob
---------------------
Dear Fred and Lynn
We received your Christmas and New Year greetings on 23 Dec 09. Your
appreciation and support mean more than you can imagine to all members,
both at home and deployed. The Timmies Card you sent will be put to
good use. Here at the MP Det at Kandahar Airfield (KAF) we are
extremely fortunate and have many oppurtunities to go, however our
members that are outside the wire, deployed to forward locations do not.
Having been deployed outside in 2006, I know that a little taste of home
can do wonders for your morale. It did for mine when we came in shortly
after the Timmies opened here. Although the old man saif that KAF was a
part of our regular patrol for that day, we were all aware of why we
actually stopped for more than a quick check in.
I try to ensure that those coming in get the oppurtunity to relax and
unwind, before going out again, whether going on leave or just in for a
short stop, so I have put your card to the side (with a few others) for
when the boys and girls come in. I hope that this is OK with the both
of you.
With regards to Hubby being in the Airforce in "Easier Times". My
father was also in the Navy during "Easier Times", but the truth is, I
remember too well the duck and cover days. Those that stood on the
front line of freedom during those times are a very large reason why we
live free today. You both have my eternal gratitude. I say both
because if it wasn't for our amazing, supportive better halves this job
would be that much more difficult. I truly believe that the partners at
home have a much rougher time than us over here. At least we know what
is going on and what we are doing.
Thank you very much, for the Tim Card, and you letter. I hope that you
have a great Christmas and that the New Year brings you good fortune.
Mike
Classification: NATO/ISAF UNCLASSIFIED
Good day Lynn & Fred,
My name is Chief Petty Officer Bob Burton, serving in Afghanistan until end of Apr 2010. I checked the mail today and your letter was in it, I always enjoy reading letters from home…home being Canada of course. I was born and raised in Newfoundland and have spent the last 19 ½ years in the Navy (yes you heard it right – NAVY). I volunteered to come and do my part; my brother is also here serving. I have a beautiful wife and 3 great children ages 12, 11 and 2; they will be spending XMas with family in Guysborough, N.S. this year.
Thank you for the Tim’s card, I will think of you and home when I have my next large double double on the boardwalk.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you both!
Regards
Bob
---------------------
Dear Fred and Lynn
We received your Christmas and New Year greetings on 23 Dec 09. Your
appreciation and support mean more than you can imagine to all members,
both at home and deployed. The Timmies Card you sent will be put to
good use. Here at the MP Det at Kandahar Airfield (KAF) we are
extremely fortunate and have many oppurtunities to go, however our
members that are outside the wire, deployed to forward locations do not.
Having been deployed outside in 2006, I know that a little taste of home
can do wonders for your morale. It did for mine when we came in shortly
after the Timmies opened here. Although the old man saif that KAF was a
part of our regular patrol for that day, we were all aware of why we
actually stopped for more than a quick check in.
I try to ensure that those coming in get the oppurtunity to relax and
unwind, before going out again, whether going on leave or just in for a
short stop, so I have put your card to the side (with a few others) for
when the boys and girls come in. I hope that this is OK with the both
of you.
With regards to Hubby being in the Airforce in "Easier Times". My
father was also in the Navy during "Easier Times", but the truth is, I
remember too well the duck and cover days. Those that stood on the
front line of freedom during those times are a very large reason why we
live free today. You both have my eternal gratitude. I say both
because if it wasn't for our amazing, supportive better halves this job
would be that much more difficult. I truly believe that the partners at
home have a much rougher time than us over here. At least we know what
is going on and what we are doing.
Thank you very much, for the Tim Card, and you letter. I hope that you
have a great Christmas and that the New Year brings you good fortune.
Mike
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