Winnipeg Free Press
Monday May 17 2004
By Kevin Rollason
WITH marches, inspections, pomp and ceremony, more than 300 sea, army and air cadets officially said goodbye to the military presence at the Kapyong Barracks yesterday.
Capt. Mike Peters, of 191 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, said with the base shutting down soon, cadets in all three services wanted to show their appreciation to the members of the Second Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, who for many years have volunteered and helped them.
"It's not a sad day -- it's a glorious day," Peters said yesterday as the cadets marched in formation across the parade grounds at the barracks on Grant Avenue. "The forces have been of significant help to the cadet organizations through the years and they want to thank them."
The military base, which has been the home of the 2PPCLI since 1969, is shutting down this summer, with 600 soldiers and 400 family members moving to CFB Shilo, near Brandon.
Because the Kapyong Barracks have been declared surplus, the Brokenhead First Nation has been pressing its claim for ownership of the 65-hectare site.
The 2PPCLI will officially say goodbye to the city with a sunset ceremony at The Forks on June 18, and the acceptance of the Freedom of the City honour, the highest honour a military unit can be given by a community. Peters said the military won't forget the cadets, especially the army cadets, who will still do various exercises at CFB Shilo.
Master Corp. Lee Joiner, of 2PPCLI, said the battalion has for years provided the cadets with instructors.
"It helps get the regular force and the cadets together," Joiner said.
Sgt. Grant Greenall, 41, said he's one of the 2PPCLI soldiers moving to CFB Shilo after spending the last 15 years of his military career based in Winnipeg.
"Sept. 7 is my transfer date," Greenall said.
"It doesn't really bother me to go there because I've been going there a couple of times a year for 15 years. I love my job -- I'm in here until they kill me or kick me out." Greenall, who is a section commander of 1 Platoon A company, said during his career he has served in Cyprus, Croatia and three times to Bosnia.
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
PHOTO JEFF DEBOOY/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS