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“Deployed” is a very real and poignant documentary about Canadian Reservists who deploy overseas
You may have come across a number of social media posts recently about jobs available in the Canadian Army Reserve. It’s no secret that they are on a major recruiting drive across the country looking to boost their numbers by as much as 2500 soldiers.
As Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of 41 Signal Regiment in Alberta, it’s my job to help expand the understanding of the role the Reserve plays in the success of military operations at home and abroad. In Canada, the Army Reserve is part of virtually every domestic operation. This includes natural disasters like fires – think Slave Lake and Ft. McMurray, and floods like we saw in Calgary a few years ago. Internationally, the Army Reserve supports our Regular Forces. This has proven successful around the world, most notably in Afghanistan.
Recently I screened the documentary Deployed: Army Reservists Overseas, by LCol Mike Vernon of the Calgary Highlanders, a former video journalist for CBC and currently a journalism instructor at Mount Royal University in Calgary.
Deployed is broken into three chapters: the first is comprised of early missions such as Egypt, Cyprus and Africa; the second is Bosnia and Croatia in the early 1990s and finally Afghanistan. There is a progression from the first interview of a reservist who served in Egypt in 1976 through to the final soldier returning from Afghanistan in 2012.
“In each part I look at: What was your motivation, expectations, experiences and what was it like coming home?” Vernon says. “And what’s it like now dealing with whatever they dealt with. Some of them had PTSD, some of them had a drinking problem. And they speak quite openly about those struggles. “So there’s that range of experience, and I think you also get that sense of how the army has evolved in terms of welcoming soldiers home, dealing with PTSD. But it’s very much at the level of personal experience.”
I’d encourage anyone with an interest in the experience of our Reservists to watch this film. It features interviews with a wide variety of current and former soldiers from Alberta who have deployed on dozens of missions, beginning with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Egypt in the 1970s on through the Afghanistan deployments of recent years.
It’s important to remember that in Canada, reservists are not ordered to serve overseas, but volunteer to do so, putting their civilian lives on hold until their return. The Highlanders are part of 41 Canadian Brigade Group, based in Calgary, and all the soldiers in the documentary are drawn from units of that Brigade Group.
Though each is a unique individual, their personal stories tell some universal truths about our soldiers, their lives and their work. For all of them, their days overseas were filled with moments of adrenaline-filled risk balanced by the daily routine of regular duties that are part of every deployment. As reservists who often must immediately integrate themselves back into civilian life after their return from deployment, they also have faced some unique challenges.
You can find more information about the Canadian Army Reserve by clicking here.
You can learn more about the background of the documentary and LCol Mike Vernon by clicking here.
Lieutenant-Colonel Mike Vernon (left) volunteered for a mission in Afghanistan in 2010.
~Photo courtesy Canadian Armed Forces Combat Camera
About the Canadian Army Reserve
Reservists have made substantial contributions to Canada’s international and domestic operations. Since the year 2000, more than 4,000 Reservists from the Army, the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force have been deployed in international expeditionary operations in:
- Africa;
- South-west Asia;
- the Middle East;
- the Caribbean, and
- many other parts of the world.
Reservists have participated in domestic operations in many ways in recent years. They have:
- assisted with flood relief efforts in Quebec and Manitoba;
- fought forest fires in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia;
- assisted with hurricane relief efforts in Newfoundland and Labrador;
- participated in recovery efforts following ice storms in eastern Canada; and
- supported the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
In addition, Reservists often help at or participate in cultural events, parades, festivals, and other public events in their own and neighbouring communities across Canada, including Remembrance Day ceremonies.
L to R: Cindy Jefferies, Susan Knopp, Lane Tomalty, Bre Fitzpatrick
Photo credit: The SnapHappy Photographer
After a decade of leadership under Cindy Jefferies and Susan Knopp, 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer (100+ WWCRD) is proud to celebrate 10 years of supporting local charities and the announcement of Bre Fitzpatrick and Lane Tomalty as its new co-leaders. This marks an exciting new chapter for the group, which has made a significant impact on not-for-profit organizations in Central Alberta.
Cindy and Susan have led 100+ WWCRD with vision, dedication, and a commitment to empowering women to lead and inspire change. Under their stewardship, the organization has raised over $630,000 for local charities by hosting 4 annual 1-hour meetings. Since 2015, more than 36 local charities have received funding through the group.
Reflecting on their tenure, Cindy and Susan stated:
“Leading 100 Women has been an honour and a privilege. When we began this journey, we didn’t know where it would go – we simply loved the simple, elegant, and fun ‘100 Who Care’ concept and thought it was a great fit for our community. We are grateful to the many women who have stood with us. They are the magic of the organization! We are confident Bre and Lane will steward this leadership role well and we look forward to supporting it – just not from behind the microphone!”
Bre and Lane bring a dynamic energy and fresh perspective to the organization. Both have been involved with the group and have been mentored by Susan and Cindy over the past year. They are eager to continue the collaboration, connection, and local support this team of women have established in Red Deer.
In their joint statement, Bre and Lane shared:
“We are humbled to step into this role and build on the incredible foundation Cindy and Susan have laid. Many needs are at the doorstep of our community and in the hearts and minds of our members. We know a powerful, caring, and united group of individuals can play a huge role in driving change and breaking barriers.
To celebrate this milestone and leadership transition, the 100+ WWCRD hosted the final meeting of 2024 on November 25th at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club. The evening featured reflections from Cindy and Susan, the selection of the Salvation Army as the charity of choice, an opportunity for members to connect with Bre and Lane as they outline their vision for the organization’s next chapter, and a toast to 10 years.
For more information, please visit www.100womenreddeer.ca
About 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer
100+ Women Who Care Red Deer is a network of compassionate, empowered, and dedicated women who make a direct, immediate, and positive impact in Red Deer and area. We support local non-profit and charitable organizations that work every day to make our community a better place to live. 100% of funds donated go to the selected charities – there are no
administration fees, and all costs are covered by the generosity of sponsors. Collectively, we make a difference.
The group meets 4 times annually for 1 hour. Non-profit and charitable organizations are nominated by members. After hearing 3 randomly drawn pitches, the members vote to select their top choice. The group with the highest number of votes receives the members’ donations. Each member or team commits to donating $100 at each meeting. Since 2015, the average raised has been more than $15,000 per meeting.
Membership is open to all women In Red Deer and area. We invite you to join us! The first meeting of 2025 will be on Monday, February 3, 2025.
Founded in February 2015, the organization currently has about 150 members. We are committed to uniting this powerful group of 100+ women who care and lifting the amazing non-profits and charitable groups they support.
Festival of Trees tickets are on sale now! Get ’em while they’re hot!
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