On Remembrance Day, each Trillium Woods student wrote a postcard to an active or veteran Canadian soldier. Below is a response to one of those postcards from a member of our armed forces:
Good afternoon
I would like to thank your students for the wonderful letters I
received this morning addressed “To Any Canadian Soldier.”
I was very touched that kids are thinking of Canadian soldiers
away from home at Christmas, it is very much appreciated and the letters
absolutely made my day.
I am Captain Ryan Gillespie, and I am the sole Canadian here at
UNFICYP, that is United Nations Forces in Cyprus, so getting letters from
Canada is always welcome.
A bit about what I do here, in case anyone at the school is
curious. I work in the headquarters, but spend a lot of time looking at
the two opposing armies, that would be the Turkish Forces and the Republic of
Cyprus armies, my job is to monitor what they are doing and making sure they do
not violate the rules of the cease-fire agreement. I also spend a lot of
time trying to locate minefields to help make Cyprus mine free. It is not
as dangerous as it sounds, and it gives me a sense of pride knowing I am working
to help people achieve peace and security.
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukah/Happy
Holidays in Ontario with family and friends.
And I wish you all a Happy and Safe New Year.
Cheers from Cyprus.
Capt
Ryan Gillespie
SO3
OPS INFO
Canadian
Contingent Commander, UNFICYP (OP SNOWGOOSE)
