K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media

The CFB  Shilo Soldiers Send-off barbeque is being held on Oct. 26 in L25 for community members to offer support to CAF members from the local base who will be deploying overseas in November.

“The Shilo Send-off is the entire community’s best opportunity to show their support to our deploying members, inform themselves about, and access deployment services offered by the MFRC, and take part in a free, fun, family event,” Lieutenant Patrick McBurnie, OPI for the event said.

CFB Shilo is hosting the function with the support of the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) and other community partners. The afternoon will feature a fun line-up of activities and events for the going-away party, which will honour the departing personnel.

Starting at noon and running until 3 p.m., there will be hay rides, a magic show, a Teddy Bear Sick Parade hosted by 11 CF Health Services, pumpkin carving, Touch a Truck, inflatables, photo booth, Prairie Therapy Dogs, 96.1 Bounce FM, and free food.

No doubt, some will find the specially featured dunk tank, where CFB Shilo Base Commander Lieutenant-Colonel David Cronk and Regimental Sergeant Major Chief Warrant Officer Eric LeClair are set to get wet behind the ears for those who dare to dunk them. Proceeds from the soaking will be donated to the Base’s United Way fundraising campaign.

“The event is a CFB Shilo-led, family-focused activity to acknowledge the departure of large contingents from 1 RCHA  and 2 PPCLI and individual augmentees from across the Shilo garrison on Operation REASSURANCE. This event is not just for deploying members, however, and includes the whole of the CFB Shilo community, including CFMWS, MFRC, and municipal and provincial officials to appropriately mark the occasion with a festive, seasonal theme,” Lt. McBurnie said.

Rob Lavin, executive director of the Military and Family Resource Centre, said the centre will offer deployment kits for couples and families, including valuable information and resources for while loved ones are overseas.

“These kits have been put together to provide them with some guidance through the deployment,” he said, adding that there are journals, writing prompts, and virtual games to keep families close in times of absence with crucial information that provides support and comfort.”