It was a festive setting at L25 for the annual soldiers’ appreciation dinner, with Avr Samantha Snow having help from COS Maj Scott Youngson put on BComd LCol Chris Wood’s dress jacket as part of a military tradition with leadership switching roles with the youngest military member. MWO Robert Young’s staff provided the Christmas dinner, served by officers and civilian managers. Oldest military member Cpl Stephanie Bisset had a good laugh watching BRSM CWO Jeremy Abrahamse fit into her dress jacket. Photos Jules Xavier/Shilo Stag

Jules Xavier
Shilo Stag

BComd LCol Chris Wood was unable to attend the annual soldiers’ appreciation dinner, so COS Maj Scott Youngson shared his year-end message before turkey dinner was served.
“I am extremely proud of how, as a community, we’ve worked together … and of what we’ve accomplished together,” wrote LCol Wood in his address relayed by Maj Youngson.
“Together you’ve established the new normal, even while COVID endures … at a time when a lot was being asked of Third Division, you’ve delivered. Whether that was getting 1RCHA Gunners back last spring, or helping 38 CBG Gunners out to the [BC] mountains for Op PALACI this fall; whether it was supporting training that led to hundreds of members from Shilo, or who transited through Shilo, to deploy in support of Op REASSURANCE or Op UNIFIER; whether is was in support of new training courses that were being run here in Shilo, or modernizing critical services or infrastructure around the Base — you’ve delivered.”
With seven months remaining in his Base Command, LCol Wood has observed a number of positive changes, with more to come in the future.
“To name a few, the Christmas lights are up in the community; we’ve got new RHUs being built; the CANEX grocery section has been expanded; the Base’s new heating plants have been fired up; there have been modifications that support the Base; new pieces of equipment; and [Shilo] MFRC has found a way to support more daycare spots. You have all contributed to making our community the great place to live and work that it is.”
Despite the positive observations from 2022, LCol Wood conceded there are still challenges still to tackle.
“I know many members of our team at times feel strained. Your commitment, your dedication, your grit … does not go unnoticed. Each visitor I met relayed their admiration and appreciation for the work you’re doing here, whether that Premier Heather Stephanson, the Special Envoy for the Military Len Isleifson, our Div commanders BGen Fletcher, BGen Awalt, and now BGen Graham, who relayed his appreciation last week, the Army Sergeant Major CWO Smith, the Senior VP for CANEX Frank Rochetti, and ADM(IE) Rob Chambers.
“And of course, this includes our formation leadership team Col Rob McBride and CWO Patrice Chartrand, as well as the 1 Brigade [1CMBG] leadership team who were here this week, Col Phil Bourque and CWO Rob Clarke.
“In so many quiet ways, members in this room [L25] have stepped in and stepped up to ensure the job got done. On behalf of your leadership team, thank-you.”
One of the military Christmas dinner traditions continued, with Base Supply’s Avr Samantha Snow wearing LCol Wood’s dress jacket, including his medals and rank, as the youngest military member on Base. The oldest military member Cpl Stephanie Bisset from Base Transport exchanged jackets with BRSM CWO Jeremy Abrahamse.