Page 45 - Sports Energey News - Issue No 99, Cornwall, Mike Piquette

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #99 March 2021 45

Saluting our Veterans:

Mike Smith Tells His Story.

By Casey Leger

“My little career in the army
is a bit wonky,” says retired
soldier and current high
school teacher, Mike Smith.

“My Reg. Force [Regular
Forces] career started in 1989
and ended in 1996. I enlisted
as an infantryman and began
with 2nd Battalion PPCLI

[Princess Patricia’s Canadian
Light Infantry] in Winnipeg.
This was a great posting.
Within a couple of months,
I was sent to Cyprus on a
peacekeeping tour. It was one
of the best vacations ever - 12

hours on duty, 12 hours off,
and weekends on the beach in
Aya Napa.”

“In early 1991, I passed
my Basic Parachute Course

(Jump Course) and was posted Left to right, Don Cherry, unknown solder and Mike Smith Photo Submitted
to the Airborne Regiment in
Petawawa, Ontario,” Smith hugs and tears from teachers returned from Afghanistan in 2006, Mike became a teacher
continues. “This was the most when we left. Did crap happen 2002, I found I still liked being a in Cornwall, starting his career
challenging and best part of there? Absolutely, but there soldier and thought I could pass at General Vanier, spending a

my life. It was like going from was a lot of good going on as on my skills and knowledge few years at St Joseph’s, and
house league hockey to AAA. well.” with the local reserve unit - eventually settling in at Holy
I really had to up my standards “After the disbandment of the Stormont, Dundas and Trinity.
of soldiering just to keep up”. the Airborne in 1995, I was Glengarry Highlanders. I “To this day, I miss the
enjoyed my time there as a
Smith spent time on tour in posted to 3rd Battalion PPCLI junior officer, training young camaraderie of soldiers,”

Somalia. Most Canadians who in Edmonton, where I finished men and women how to shoot Smith says. “The focus of
are old enough will remember my career training soldiers in and patrol and climb cliffs the mission and the physical
what came to light after the mountains of Alberta. My without falling. I’d say my challenge. Oddly enough, I
that mission. “According to wife and I moved to Montreal highlight there was ‘inventing’ still go hiking in the mountains
history,” explains Smith, “the where I went to school at the Highland Games tug of and sleep on the ground when
Somalia tour of 1993 is seen Concordia University to war competition between all it is warm. I believe the army

as a disaster, but I don’t see it be a journalist. I worked at the Highland reserve units in saved me and made me a
that way. My platoon guarded CBC Radio and Television Canada, an idea born out of better person and teacher. I
the airfield where food and for several years; I went to beer at a local pub. I left the was not a great student in high
supplies were dropped off Afghanistan and Sierra Leone Glens in 2010. I was getting
every day. We built schools and as a reporter. These were old and no longer tolerant of school; in fact, my yearbook

bridges and protected them. interesting times, but life was giving up weekends sleeping says I would most likely end
We brought peace to a little not stable, and I was getting on the ground.” up in jail. The army turned
village, and I learned enough worried about a life-long that around. Now, I have been
Somali that we didn’t need career.” The Smiths bought a little a teacher for 15 years. Longer
a translator on patrols. I had Smith continues: “When I farm in Apple Hill and in than my military career.”