INNISFAIL - A Red Deer reserve unit from the Canadian Army has toured Innisfail and area to show the public their soldiers do have the right stuff.
The reserve unit, the 78th Field Battery of the 20th Field Regiment (Royal Canadian Artillery), visited the communities of Bowden, Innisfail and Penhold on Nov. 19 to put on demonstrations and educational displays.
The three-community event was part of an ongoing mission by the unit, which has a long history of military service in Central Alberta, to combine training activities with recruiting and community interaction events.
"Last year we did this a couple of times. We went to Sylvan Lake, Lacombe and Innisfail on Wednesday nights during our regular weekly training," said Sgt. Jeremy Strong. "We were there for a couple of hours in the evening, but this is the first time we've spent a full day out."
About 12 to 15 soldiers participated in the full-day event on Nov. 19, noted Strong, pointing out several goals the unit had in visiting these Central Alberta communities. They included increasing awareness about the unit, what they do, and connecting with local citizens, recruiting future members and training for reserve forces.
"We want to get out in the community and let them know we're here," he said. "We are looking for new members. We're understaffed at the moment, so the day was an opportunity for potential recruits to see that we're here and (learn) they could join."
Dozens of families and individuals dropped by the various locations to speak with members of the reserve forces and see first hand some of the equipment they use in training exercises.
"We brought out our 105-millimetre howitzers and the 81-millimetre mortar," said Strong, noting that if funds are available he would like to expand the event in the future to include several more full-day events in communities around Red Deer.
"It's always a success when the public sees us out there interacting with the community," said Strong, noting the positive feedback they received. "Any time we can get the word out (that we're here in Central Alberta) it's a success."
Jeremy Strong, Troop Sergeant Major.
"We want to get out in the community and let them know we're here."
