While spending time camping with his RV club usually takes precedence, a local Canadian Armed Forces veteran gladly made an exception when he was asked to take part in the Sundre Pro Rodeo's annual parade.
“It's an honour,” Harvey Shevalier said about being asked to be a parade marshal.
“I'm giving up a week of camping with my RV club. That normally takes precedence, but not in this case.”
The parade's theme this year is Salute to Men and Women in Uniform.
His overseas service with the Canadian Armed Forced as a peacekeeper included a tour in northwest Europe from 1966-69, a six-month tour in Cyprus in 1973 followed by a second tour in that country in 1980.
“The best move I ever made was joining the service. I had a great time — it was challenging and exciting.”
Enlisting also led him to forge many long-lasting bonds over the years.
“You got friends all over the world,” he said, adding the camaraderie was a valuable part of his experience with the military as well.
Shevalier was later posted to Camp Borden in Ontario upon his return to Canada. He retired from the Armed Forces as a chief warrant officer in 1993.
The veteran has been a fan of rodeo for many years. An uncle of his was a bull rider, his father-in-law used to ride broncs while his wife was a barrel racer.
Although he has an affinity for watching chuckwagon races, Shevalier said, “at the same time, I thoroughly enjoy the broncs.”
“It's a great event for the Town of Sundre,” he said about the local pro rodeo, which takes place Friday, June 24 to Sunday, June 26. The parade takes place on the morning of Saturday, June 25 following the annual pancake breakfast.
He encourages anyone who has never been able to attend to consider discovering what Sundre's busiest weekend of the year has to offer.
“If they want to have a good time, get out to the rodeo and take in the dancing and everything else that happens after,” he said.
Visit www.sundrerodeo.com for more on the pro rodeo weekend.
