Thanks for entertaining us, Casey

Keeping the Peace

By Tom Lessard, C.D.

It’s sad to say that this is the last edition of the Grand Bend Strip entertainment and lifestyle newspaper.

As it happens, it’s pretty good timing for me; the rest of my stories as an employee of the taxpayers are not for public consumption. As Casey and Anjhela embark on their new adventure, it reminds me of my youth collecting such stories.

Thank you for sharing my escapades as I served two years in Montreal as an apprentice soldier, three years in Germany attached to the 1st Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment, and two summers attached to the R.C.E.M.E. in Wainwright, Alberta. I served one year attached to 56 infantry workshop (R.C.E.M.E.) in Rafah, Egypt with the United Nations Emergency Force, two tours in Cyprus – one as an ordnance store clerk in 1967, and the other in 1970 as an infantry man – and a couple of years in Ipperwash as a clerk in the quartermasters stores. The remainder of my service tenure was in London, where I lived in barracks for a time and otherwise in the economy boarding houses.

You’ve also read of my month-long exercise in Jamaica working in the canteen. I also lived a life of ease at the beach on the north east shore of the Island near Port Antonio.

If it weren’t for the service, I wouldn’t have the family I have today. Most of our children were born while I served. Tom and Glen were born in Germany. Mike was born in Montreal while I was away in Cyprus. Bill arrived while I was stationed in London, but living in Huron Park; Rita delivered him in Exeter. Our last, but not least, came along at the Exeter Hospital, too. He grew up to become the owner, publisher, photographer, writer, delivery man and all round journalist of this fine newspaper.

Thanks for entertaining us, Casey.

To all my friends and neighbours - Live well and be happy. Get well soon, Deb Mason.