The community of Niverville celebrated the safe return of three of their soldiers who recently returned from Afghanistan. Pictured are Corporal Ringo Klassen (left) and his wife Heather, Corporal Gord May (right) and his girlfriend Maegan Talpashand. Corporal Josh Tuckett, (back) with his fiancée Amanda Reimer-Sawatsky. Tuckett leaves for Afghanistan in September. Corporal Bruce Breustadt was absent.
Despite the cold, approximately seventy people came out celebrate the homecoming of three local soldiers who recently returned to their families after serving a tour in Afghanistan.
During a special evening that took place at the Niverville Heritage Centre Atrium on January 4, Corporal Ringo Klassen, Corporal Gord May, and Corporal Bruce Breustadt were honored by the community for their service to their country.
All three soldiers returned home to their families after spending seven months overseas in Afghanistan. A year ago, the community sent them off with a celebration to show support and felt it fitting that their safe return also be celebrated.
“We are very grateful for the sacrifice that these men have made,” says Mayor Greg Fehr. “They deserve a true welcome home.”
Provencher MP Vic Toews agreed.
“We know there is a difference of opinion when it comes to Afghanistan but I realized during a trip to Kabul that, without the presence of these soldiers, none of the reconstruction could take place,” stated Toews. “We thank the soldiers and their families for their sacrifices and hard work, and we thank them for a job well done.”
Klassen spent his tour working at the Kandahar Airfield as a computer specialist. His job required him to help get information on the Taliban and pass it on to the soldiers.
May’s role saw him working either as security at the main gate for the airstrip or as convoy support, a position which placed him in the middle of danger.
“We were lucky we never got hit once – there were times that another group would want to pass, so we’d pull over and let them, and find them further down the road after they’d get hit by an IED,” recalled May. “I never feared for my life while I was there because I knew we were being protected by prayers from back home.”
Breustadt was unable to attend the evening.
Klassen’s mother Laura spoke about her son’s deployment.
“My father was a consciousness objector and my son is now a soldier contrary to his grandfather’s beliefs,” she explained. “It is very hard – I asked him what would happen if he died out there, and he replied ‘It’s my glory, I am ready – the tragedy is for those left behind.’”
“He has changed – he has a greater appreciation for life, his family and for country,” she added tearfully.
May’s parents Doug and Kathy also thanked the community for embracing their family during the time of their son’s absence.
“When you have loved ones who choose to put themselves in harms way it is different,” added Doug. “You need all the support you can get, and this community has been behind us throughout the past year and a half that our son has served and we are very grateful.”
Canada Awakening Ministries hosted the event under the direction of Roger Armbruster. As part of the evening, each returning soldier was presented with special dog tags that showed the date they were deployed and the date they returned, along with a plaque of thanks, from their “Niverville friends”.
A fourth local soldier, Max Murphy who has completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan was also remembered during the evening.
As part of the evening, Corporal Josh Tuckett was wished well as he prepares to head to Afghanistan in September.
