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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1994-05-04, Page 27COMIIN!TY UN peacekeeper teaches students about world events By Catherine O'Brien T -A staff CREDITON - For almost six months, Grade 6 students at Ste- phen Central Public School in Cre- diton have been learning a bit about world affairs by writing to a mem- ammommemas ber of the Canadian Armed Forces sta- tioned in the former Yugoslavia. On Friday they had a chance to meet face to face with Pat McAllister, petty officer second class, who visited their classroom. The visit gave the students a chance to ask McAllis- ter first hand about life in a war-torn country and learn more about the role of UN peace keepers. As well, McAllister shared with them some photos of areas where he was stationed which showed the re- mains of buildings and homes that had been bombed. "Many of these homes, although almost in ruins, are occupied again by families," he said. McAllister told the class that 34 nations were in- volved in the peacekeeping effort along with 350 Ca- nadians. "Just by being there we helped maintain the peace," he said. The unit McAllister was part of went over in October and arrived back in Canada on April 19. The students began writing to McAllister in Novem- ber after Brandie Marshall, his niece, told her teacher about him. "I thought writing to him would be a good tie-in to Rembrance Day," said Grade 6 teacher Donna Miller. The students continued to write and on Valentines Day they sent cards. McAllister was only able to write back once because his camp was in the midst of moving, but he promised to drop by the class for a visit when he returned to Canada. McAllister said the letters were a great morale boost for himself and the others in the unit. "Many were en- vious that I received so many letters from one class," he said. While in the former Yugoslavia, the main purpose of McAllister's unit was to deliver food and other supplies where needed. Although that meant travelling in convoys through some hostile areas, McAllister said his unit was in a relatively safe region in comparison to other Canadian units. He also had to do night patrols and guard duty. "For- tunately there weren't any conflicts near our unit." McAllister said they were also lucky to have been stationed in areas where living conditions were fairly pleasant. For the most part, he lived in a kind of portable home, but at one point home was in a tent he shared with 13 others. And although the country is in turmoil, McAllister said people try to carry on with regular daily routines. He said there wasn't really a problem with a language barrier because most people can speak a bit of English. "When kids go to school there, they are taught four lan- guages." He told the students that the ongoing battle has also taken its toll on the country's economy. McAllister said inflation in some areas of the country is extremely high. "When eating out you pay for the meal immediately because if you wait until your finished eating, the price will have gone up. That's what inflation is like in some parts," he said. "Things are very expensive." The students asked him about the fate of children there whose parents were killed. McAllister said many of these children rely on other countries to place them in homes or locate relatives. But, he said, the reality is that many of the children are forced to live on the streets. "You never realize what you have and how lucky you are to be living in a place like Canada until you're away and see what it's like in other countries," he said. Now that McAllister is back in Canada he should have a year off to spend time with his family in Green- wood, Nova Scotia, where he is based. But McAllister expects the year leave to be cut short. "There seem to be more UN tasks, so I don't think I'll get the entire year off," he said. His work in the former Yugoslavia was the second tour for him as part of a UN team. The first one was in 1974. In the 26 years that McAllister has been part of the Canadian Armed Forces, he has been able to travel through most of Canada and the United States, as well as parts of Europe. "Military life is hard, but being able to travel to other countries is one benefit," he said. Blue Water news Residents take bus tour of area ZURICH - Monday afternoon the residents boarded the bus at Blue Water Rest Home for a trip into the country. Anna Heckman, Esther Makins; Ruby Relt Ro.e Mer, ncr Joe Kenda Sr. Edna Johnston and Susan Leslie enjoyed their spring outing to Holmesville, Benmiller and Goderich and were happy to see the ice had left the beach shore at Goderich. Other residents enjoyed a movie "Little House on the Prairie in the auditorium." Tuesday morning the residents were challenged by their Grade five Buddies of St. Boniface School with yahtzee and other games. The children sang "Happy Birthday" to Harvey Keys who is 78 years young and cntered the world with a smile on his face. Everyone en- joyed socializing and refreshments after their brain teasers. Many residents used their horti- cultural skills transplanting tomato plants and letting the soil penetrate their skin once more. Rose Merrier, Theodore (Ted) Steinbach, Hilda Rader, Esther Makins, Edna John- ston, Ruby Bell, Oriole Westlake, Catherine Riehl and Nelson Howe can't wait to taste the rewards of 'itch hard work. Rev. Cordell Parsons, Exeter United Church, with the help of Beatrice Rader on organ, conducted Thursday afternoon Chapel Ser- vice. Fr. Matthias Wronski, St. Boniface Church, Zurich, celebrat- ed Mass. Meals on Wheels lunch tickets may be purchased from Laurene Corriveau at 236-4954 until Mari- lee Ayotte is feeling better. Thank you to Corriveau and Ayotte for their helping hands. Thank you to Jill Geiger, RN, who recently spent five days at a workshop on Palliative Care at Fanshawe College sponsored by the Ministry of Health. Geiger returned to the Home with a new outlook on palliative care for the elderly and how palliative care volunteers could be helpful with residents at the Home whose family live afar or whose family members need assis- Crime of the week Crime Stoppers seeking tips on school break-in Crime Stoppers of Huron County and local OPP detach- ments are seeking information from the public about the follow- ing crimes. On February 28, 1994, Huron Centennial School south of Brucefield was broken into. About $2,000 in damage was done to the property, and several items were stolen, including: •A 29" screen Panasonic televi- sion, model CX9682, serial num- ber 30676049. •Two Panasonic VCRs, both model A01230, with serial num- bers DM8C00115, and DM8C00344. *One NEC camcorder, model V -40U, serial number P7512101. •Ona NEC camcorder power pack, model V-M40U, serial number E702151 YD. *One Rolland computer key- board, model JV8U0, serial number AD80838. •One pair of large speakers from the gymnasium sound sys- tem. In addition to the above items there were many small tool, food, and carrying case items taken for a total of S8,000 in stolen property. If anyone has information about this or any other crime, contact Crime Stoppers of Hu- ron County at 1-800-265-1777. You will not have to reveal your identity, but you could be eligi- ble for a cash reward up to $1,000. Remember, crime doesn't pay, but Crime Stopper does. tance during a health crisis. The residents look forward to a visit from the Auxiliary May 3, Dog Obedience training May 5 and the annual Bake Sale May 7, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Best wishes to Roy Gingerich, BWRH Apartments who claims he is no longer visiting but must be spring vacationing at South Huron Hospital, Exeter. Lawrence (Paddy) Bedard is at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital, Goderich for a few days. Times -Advocate, May 4, 1994 Page 27 Grade six students had a chance to learn about peacekeeping efforts when UN peacekeeper Pat McAllister (in centre of photo) paid them a visit. With McAllister are, from front bottom on left, Kim Powell, moving counter clockwise are Krystal Hesse, Alexis Morfopoulous, David Go - vers, Aaron Heywood (leaning on McAllister), Mandy Case, Shawn Kramer, Sarah Stire, Bran- die Marshall, Stephanie Mason, Brad Turnbull, Jamie Becker and Ryan Wuerth. F CONSIDERING BANKRUPTCY? 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