For Kris Olson, Veteran鈥檚 Week from November 5-11 is an important period to reflect on the former soldier鈥檚 time spent in the Canadian military. 鈥淔or me, it鈥檚 about remembering my friends and colleagues that have passed away, as well as serving members,鈥� Olson recounted. However, the ex-infantry member originally from Bienfait, who鈥檇 served in Afghanistan from February-July in 2008, said Canadian veterans should be recognized for their sacrifices throughout the year, rather than being remembered on a single week in November.
For those who are unsure about Canada鈥檚 military actions overseas, Olson emphasized that while it鈥檚 important to have conversations about the negative effects caused by war, the soldiers themselves shouldn鈥檛 be condemned individually, because they were the ones who volunteered to stand up for their country when they were needed the most. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to support the mission,鈥� Olson said, adding 鈥渂ut you can still support the troops 鈥� we didn鈥檛 make the policy, but we鈥檙e supporting the policy,鈥� he further explained.
Olson had shown an interest in the military since childhood. 鈥淚t was something that as a kid, I was fascinated with.鈥� Like many boys, Olson played with toy guns and GI Joe dolls. After high school, he attended university, but the experience of postsecondary education didn鈥檛 seem to be a right fit. Olson was still young at 23 when he joined the Canadian military. He served six years in the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry as a soldier, finishing with the rank of corporal. 鈥淚f I didn鈥檛 have a family, I probably would鈥檝e stayed,鈥� he said.聽聽聽聽聽聽 聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽
In recollecting his experiences in Afghanistan, Olson said he gained a respect for the democratic and stable country he鈥檇 been born and raised in. 鈥淚t made me realize all the little things that we take for granted in Canada, like not living in fear during every waking moment.鈥�
When he was stationed in Edmonton, Olson had been approached to go overseas with 1 PPCLI. While in Afghanistan, he became part of a unit providing security for infrastructure-rebuilding operations in the areas where the Taliban had previously been thrown out by force. Sometimes, Olson and his fellow troops protected engineers who dug wells in villages. The soldiers also supplied defences for electricians teaching Afghans how to rewire faulty or damaged equipment. Olson鈥檚 unit helped secure vital facilities such as a women鈥檚 clinic. They even assisted local farmers in this rugged country of mountains, twisting river valleys and deserts. 鈥淲e replaced a guy鈥檚 sheep 鈥� about 40-50 head,鈥� he remembered while discussing how the unit acted on the behalf of our nation by helping an Afghan producer recoup his livestock.
There are reasonable criticisms to be said of Canada鈥檚 involvement with Afghanistan, but the military acted as the country鈥檚 ambassadors in a state with severe political issues. Canadian solders helped rebuild Afghanistan by protecting and providing the means for the reconstruction of a country ripped to shreds by violent and politicized fundamentalism since the 1970s.
Between 2001-2014, 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces members like Kris Olsen served in the Afghanistan theatre of operations 鈥� each of these members are eligible for the General Campaign Star-麻豆视频west Asia medal. Although Olson鈥檚 duration in the military was often stressful, exhausting, frightening and dangerous, he had fond recollections of the time spent with the forces in 麻豆视频-Central Asia. 鈥淚 miss the guys. I miss having that support group.鈥� Olson especially cherished the close friendships he developed during his military career. 鈥淲e visited a friend in Edmonton. I hadn鈥檛 seen him since 2008, but the friendship picked up where we left off.鈥�
Olson became a member of Assiniboia鈥檚 branch of the Royal Legion, because the organization of Canadian veterans represented an important social network for former soldiers and others who are interested in joining one of Assiniboia鈥檚 friendliest social clubs. 鈥淰eterans aren鈥檛 just old,鈥� Olson affirmed, as he discussed Canada鈥檚 recent military involvements overseas from the Bosnia mission of 1992 to the Afghanistan campaign of 2001-2014. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a whole new generation of veterans coming up. The image needs to changed,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just an old boys club. The Legion needs to keep going, so it would be nice to have younger members too.鈥� But of course, Olson said he enjoys talking and learning from the Legion鈥檚 older members at club meetings. 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter how old of a vet you are, there鈥檚 always good conversations.鈥� 聽聽
The military might have a glamourous appeal for young people searching for a career, but Olson had advice for them to consider before enlisting in the Canadian Armed Forces. 鈥淒o your research. Talk to the people who were in the trade you鈥檙e interested in, because what you actually do, isn鈥檛 actually what the recruiter tells you it is.鈥�
