Cyprus, November 2024, 60th Anniversary of United Nations Peacekeeping in Cyprus

60th Anniversary of United Nations Peacekeeping in Cyprus

During my service in the Canadian Forces, I had the privilege of serving in the Canadian Airborne Regiment.  I took part in one of itsdeployments with the United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), from Aug 1986 to-Feb 1987. Through a series of fortunate circumstances, I was nominated torepresent the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association (CPVA) through Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) on a pilgrimage back to the island to commemorate the 60^th Anniversary of UN Operations in Cyprus.

(Veterans Affairs Canada Photo)

Author in Nicosia, Cyprus, 11 Nov 2024.

Brigadier GeneralGregory Mitchell CD, BA, MPA, MPS, Principal Investigator, Veterans Research Council, Executive Director at Peace Operations Consulting, and VP of the Canadian Peacekeeping VeteransAssociation, brought me onboard with the nomination for the program.  The Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association commemorates the 140 Canadian military, police, and civilians who died or were killed over the past 76 years while serving on Peacekeeping Missions around the world.

I had agreed to be the CPVA representative on the condition that I bring my wife Faye along at my expense – I had left her behind on too many occasions during my 42 years of military service and did not want to repeat that experience – we thoroughly enjoyed our return to Cyprus.

As the CPVArepresentative, I needed to update my wardrobe. Ray Kokkenen in the Miramichi supplied a new blue beret, UN tie, cap andblazer badges, nametags and calling cards for the occasion.  Faye and I drove to Moncton on 27 Sep toacquire a dark blue blazer, charcoal grey pants and other items to build theCPVA “uniform”. Acquired some Euros, International Driver’s licence at CAAA,medical report, sent in the forms and biography for the CPVA files etc.  Faye and I updated our vaccination records to ensure we had all our ducks in a row before going overseas again.  On 30 Oct, I visited 5 CDSB Gagetown clothing stores to have the blazer and beret badges sewn on to service standard.

On 3 Nov I joined our members of the New Brunswick Military History Museum in attending a screening of the movie “Fallen Heroes” in Fredericton. The film focusses on the Ramp Ceremony in Afghanistan. I would later meet Karen Storwick and the producers of the film when we joined up with them on the tour in Cyprus. Karen attended the tour to Cyprus as the CAR historian.

OnTuesday, 5 Nov we took a taxi to Fredericton airport (YFC) and boarded an Embraer 75 for the flight to Montreal. We were met at the airport by Brianne Peters and Alex Dugal, received lots of useful information and a schedule, and then checked into the Marriot Hotel for the night.

On Wednesday, 6 Nov, we met with the VAC organizers and 16 members of the group we would be traveling to Cyprus with that same day. The VAC Program Staff that supported our overseas event for November 2024 included Jennifer MacLeod, Brianne Peters, Jane MacIsaac, Judy Gallant, Kaylee Doiron, Léonie Roux, Joel Pedersen, Chris Quinn, Patricia Rogriguez, Matt Graham and AlexDugal.  They guided all the VAC participants through a very interesting and historically intriguing program.

The combined VAC group included Faye and I, Gerald McGregor, Floyd Power, Shawn Nault, BradleyMills, Gary Grigg, Ron and Madeleine Griffis, Michelle Hamelin, Sean Darling, John Jewitt, Robert Ouellette, Leona and Leonard Neville, Andrew Burtch, MWO Brian Keene, MWO Alan Clark, Bdr Hudson Throness, LCdr David Jackson, S/SgtJean-Francois Leduc, Sgt Kelly Willis, Cst Rohel Williams, Jennifer MacLeod,Jane MacIssac, Judy Gallant, Kaylee Doiron, Patricia Rodriguez, Chriss Quinn,Joel Pederson, Léonie Roux, Brianne Peters, Louis Saint-Amand, JuliePapanicolaou, LCol Alex Bolduc Leblanc, Matthew Graham, Alex Dugal. In Cyprus, we were accompanied by our intrepid photographer, Komninos Komninou.

At 6pm we boarded an Airbus A300-300 for the flight to Frankfurt, Germany. While waiting for thenext flight, we were joined by Jim Ogden. Jim and I had served together on the Canadian Forces Parachute Team (CFPT), the Sky Hawks, in Edmonton in 1978, and later with the Canadian Airborne Regiment, Special Service Force (SSF) at CFB Petawawa.  It was great to see him.

The author and Jim Ogden.

After our stopover in Frankfurt, on Thursday, 7 Nov, we boarded an Airbus A321neo for the 3-1/2hr flight to Larnaca Airport in Cyprus. We then had a one hr bus ride to the Hilton Hotelin Nicosia. Nothing was familiar until we came within range of a view of the Turkish flag marked with painted stones clearly visible on the side of amountain north of Nicosia. That evening we were treated to a Greek Cypriot Folklore dinner. I found Pierre Deschenes and his partner, who I had jumped with on the CFPT in 1977, and Karl Ozols who I jumped with in 1980.  It gave my heart a real lift to see them.

The author and Pierre Deschenes.

Pierre had flown as the lead on our CFPT diamond formation jump, with me on the left, Murray McConnell on the right and Pat Turpin in the slot in April 1977.  On breakoff we would all turn and cross through the middle, leaving a bright red bomb burst in the sky.

Greg Jensen and the author.

There were more surprizes– at another table I ran into Greg Jensen and his partner.  Greg was from New Denmark in New Brunswick. Like me, he had served as the CAR Intelligence Officer, and we had served together for many years since the 1980s.  Sitting beside him was Mike Beauvais and partner, and Barry MacDonald and his partner, also Intelligence Officers I had served with for a great many years, and all of whom had served in Cyprus.

The author and Mike Beauvais.

The author and Barry MacDonald.

At other tables,there were many members of the CAR that I had served with, some I had known since the 1970s. Brigadier General Raymond R. Romses had been my Commander at CFB Halifax in 2003. I had jumped with Colonel Rick Hatton at CFB Gagetown in 1997 and Lieutenant Colonel Ron Bragdon at CFB Petawawa. I had crossed paths with Major General Walter Holmes many times, as well as Lieutenant-General Marc Caron.  There were many more familiar faces that I served with, and I am grateful to have had the chance to reconnect with them that evening. I met Karen Storwick, CAR Historian, as well as her husband and her film-making partner Robert Curtin, for the first time there as well.  Many great conversations began, and many more were to follow during the next few days.

(VAC Photo)

On Friday morning, 8 Nov, our group of 26 took part in a walking tour of the Green Line Buffer Zone, guided by British Royal Artillery soldiers, and starting at the site of Beaver Lodge.

(VAC Photo)

Beaver Lodge.

(Author on UN duty in Cyprus, 1986)

Beaver Lodgebrought me back in time. On 22 Aug 1986, The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR)Commanding Officer, Col Jim Coxordered me to be on a British Alouette helicopter, operatingin Sector 4, Nicosia, for a reconnaissance flight over Beaver Lodge as the incidentplayed out.  We were expecting an interesting day, with a crisis on theline over a change to the status quo boundaries.  We flew to each end ofSector Four.  I had a good view of the eleven points, or bastions of theold city wall.  I walked with Capt “Buck” Buchanan into the Turkish zoneand then through the market square to the Selimiye Mosque (former St. SophiaCathedral).  Very hot in August, glad we wore military shorts.

On 28 Aug 1986 at0700 hours, Canadian snipers and fully armed troops stood to for round three ofa simmering confrontation at Beaver Lodge. Extra live ammunition, grenades androcket launchers were issued to all personnel. Col Cox ordered MajorLorne O’Brien, CO of N Company, to reoccupy Beaver Lodge.  They alsoretook the chapel that had been occupied by the Turk Wolf Regiment. The actionlasted about a week with several serious confrontations.

Lornesaid, “I met personally with the Commander of all Turkish Forces in Cyprus inthe chapel. I convinced him that we were not leaving the chapel without a fight.He could see by our deployment and weapons that we meant business. He said tome "Major we are NATO allies, not adversaries. This problem will beresolved between Generals and politicians, do you understand." I said yesGeneral. He then withdrew the Turkish forces back to their original defensivepositions. We remained in the Chapel. Thank God we had the good fortune to dealwith an extremely competent Turkish General who was professional, calm, a manof his word and a real gentleman. More importantly. Thank God, I had a competent,well-trained Company who convinced the Commander of all Turkish forces inCyprus that they meant business. Shout out to Captain Drew Halpenny whoCommanded the Reserve Company in immediate support. We planned and executed theoperation together.”  To say there was an easing of one’s breathing on allsides in the dispute once the tension settled, would be a great understatement. (E-mails, Lorne O’Brien – Harold A. Skaarup, Dec 2020)

(CAR Photo)

The Green Line as I walked it in 1986-87,with a Canadian sentry overlooking Canadian Iltis vehicles,

On Friday, 8November we walked along a section of the Green Line in the Buffer Zone. Duringthe walk through the Green Line, many specific memories came to mind. Turk and Greeksoldiers could be severely punished for falling asleep on duty, so when theysaw one of their officers approaching, they would stand to and begin shoutingthe praises of their fighting spirit (thereby warning the next sentry in line to pay attention).  As soldiers from other nations often do, they would also shout a warning to Canadian sentries on Observation Post (OP) duty. Our regiment at the time I was there, was composed of Francophone soldiers in 1é Commando, and PPCLI soldiers in 2 Commando.  When I had to cross through the Buffer Zone on foot from HQ, a Canadian soldier at one of the various checkpoints would spring to attention and shout “Prendre Gard!” The immediate response was to salute and shout “Commando!”  Turk, Greek, and Canadian sentries would all smile, knowing that all of them were paying attention to their duties, even though they were technically on opposite sides of the line.

(CAR Photo)

I also well remember our CAR CO, then Col Gaudreau, making a point of celebrating Christmas eve by presenting us with our UNFICYP medals at Wolesley Barracks.  My privilege to be in charge of the Company on parade that evening.

(VAC Photo)

Knowledge Keeper and Drummer WO RobertOuellette, Eagle Staff Carrier RCMP  CstRothel Williams, Elder Leona Neville and Elder Support Leonard Neville,Indigenous Advisor CWO Joel Pedersen, Eagle Staff Carrier RCMP Sgt KellyWillis, RCMP S/Sgt Jean-Francois Leduc, UN 60^th Anniversary Memorial,Ledra Palace, Nicosia, 8 Nov 2024.

In the afternoon of 8 November we took part in an Indigenous Veterans Day Ceremony with medals and a formal ceremony. This took place at the Ledra Palace just below the apartment I had lived in during my tour there in 1986-87.

I noted that anumber of participants in this ceremonial event have written about their experience there as well.  The Governmentof Canada delegation included the High Commissioner, Her Excellency Karine Asselin. During the Indigenous Veterans Day ceremonies in Nicosia, Assistant Deputy Minister, CPA Amy Meunier wrote,

“Today, on Indigenous Veterans Day, we honor the courage, dedication, and sacrifices of Indigenous Veterans who have served Canada, often without the recognition or respect they deserved. For too long, Indigenous Veterans’ contributions were overlooked, and their cultural identities dismissed. Yet, they served with pride, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to protecting peace and freedom.

I’m deeply humbled to be here in Cyprus with a Canadian delegation, marking the 60th anniversary of UN peacekeeping efforts, where many indigenous Veterans served. As we commemorate this milestone, let us also renew our commitment to ensuring all Veterans are honored, respected, and recognized for their invaluable service.

Today and always, we remember. Thank you to all Indigenous Veterans and their families for your enduring sacrifices.”

(VAC Photo)

We had a very significantgroup representing our First Nations veterans in attendance.  These included Canada’s High Commissioner, Her Excellency Karine Asselin, CAC Assistant Deputy Minister, CPA Amy Meunier, Gerald McGregor, former CAR, representing the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), Floyd Powder, representing the Métis National Council (MNC), and Shawn Nault, representing the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF).

Bradley Mills represented the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL), Gary Grigg represented the Army,Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada (ANAVETS), Ron Griffis accompanied by his wife Madeleine Griffis, represented the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping (CAVUNP).

Michelle Hamelin represented the Rainbow Veterans of Canada (RVC). I participated on behalf of the CPVA. Sean Darling represented the RCMP Veterans Association (RCMPVA), and John Jewitt represented the Aboriginal Veterans Autochtones (AVA). Knowledge Keeper/Drummer Robert Ouellette gave a number of singing, drum and smudging presentations during the ceremonies. Elder Leona Neville and her partner Leonard Neville carried the spirit and feeling of our group with great grace and dignity.  Andrew Burtch recorded the events as the Canadian War Museum Historian.

MWO Brian Keene was the Director of History and Heritage (DHH) Ceremonial Adviser. MWO Alan Clark was the piper and Bdr Hudson Throness was the bugler.  The VAC RCN Padre was LCdr David Jackson.

The RCMP was well represented by S/Sgt Jean-Francois Leduc, S/Sgt Jean-Francois Leduc, Eagle Staff Carrier Sgt Kelly Willis and Eagle Staff Carrier Cst Rohel Williams.

(VAC Photo)

Bdr Hudson Throness, LCdr David Jackson, S/Sgt Jean-Francois Leduc, Eagle Staff Carrier Sgt Kelly Willis and Eagle Staff Carrier Cst Rohel Williams, R22eR, and MWO Alan Clark.

(VAC Photo)

The VAC Support Staff included Project Manager Jennifer MacLeod, Project Advisor/Delegation(and Mathematician) Jane MacIssac, Operations Coordinator Judy Gallant, EventsCoordinator Kaylee Doiron, Events Support Patricia Rodriguez, Security Advisor ChrisQuinn, Indigenous Advisor Joel Pedersen, Communications Léonie Roux, and Delegation representative Brianne Peters.

(VAC Photo)

Author with the RCMP Eagle Staff Carriers.

(VAC Photo)

Deputy CanadianDefence Attaché LCol Alex Bolduc Leblanc and I at the Indigenous Veterans Dayceremony.

The CanadianEmbassy was represented by Louis Saint-Amand, Julie Papanicolaou, and DeputyCanadian Defence Attaché LCol Alex Bolduc Leblanc. Contractors and support staff included EMSP/Operations Matthew Graham, and Alex Dugal. The photographer was Komninos Kominou.

That evening Faye and I went for a walk downtown, stopped for a nice Cypriot meal, and enjoyed Gelato ice-cream on the way back to the hotel. (Gelato and espresso are absolute must do items on any tour to Cyprus).

(VAC Photo)

View from the roof of the Nicosia Airportterminal.

On Saturday, 9 Nov, the VAC joined the CAR group on a morning tour of Nicosia Airport and Kykko Camp. One of the guides was a Russian Army woman, one of four serving there in the UN.  After touring the guano-laden Airport facility, Col Bragdon gave a detailed account of the events that took place from his point of view during the Turkish invasion in 1974. Many died during the battles, and many of the Finlanders caught in the crossfire at the airport would have been casualties if then Capt Bragdon hadn’t driven in under fire with ten M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and extracted more than 100 of them.  In the process, the column came very close to being incinerated in a Turkish napalm bombing run. We were later introduced to 14 Finnish soldiers who had been rescued during that event.  At the time, one of the Canadian soldiers under Capt Bragdon’s command had seized the UN flag to keep it safe.  In a moving moment, the soldier returned the flag to the Finlanders present that day.

This site had historical significance to many of us who had served in the CAR on Cyprus. On 25 Nov 1986, His Royal Highness Charles, Prince of Wales, heir apparent to the British throne and now King Charles III, presided over an historic affiliation of the Canadian Airborne Regiment and the British Parachute Regiment in the UN Protected Area at Blue Beret Camp on this day. The early crew that had been sent to Cyprus had been ordered not to bring our jump smocks, but then someone remembered the Prince would be visiting and the second half ofthe crew coming in brought them. This meant only a few of the Regiment could attend the ceremonies, often with the wrong name tags. The rest of us were ordered to steer well clear.

(British Army Photo)

The Prince was the Colonel-in-Chief of the British Parachute Regiment.  He flew in on 24 Novfrom his Middle East Tour on the Royal Yacht Britiannia which was moored off the coast of Cyprus.  He had spent the night with the 3rd Battalion ofthe Parachute Regiment (3 Para), who were also serving with UNFICYP.  The Prince was met on his arrival by the two Colonels of the Regiment, General BobTherriault and General Sir Geoffrey Howlett, together with our Commanding Officer, Colonel J.J.M. Robert Gaudreau, CMM, CD, and Lieutenant Colonel Dair Farrar-Hockley, Commanding Officer of 3 Para.  After inspecting a combined Guard of Honour provided by both regiments, the Prince was taken into the terminal building of the now disused Nicosia International Airport (NIA). In the presence of the Prince and an assembly of all ranks from both regiments, the two Colonels signed a declaration signifying the formal affiliation of both forces in arms.

(CAR Photo)

The Prince in the uniform ofthe Colonel-in-Chief of 3 Para, witnessed the documents.  Following theceremony, the Prince chatted informally with soldiers from both regiments, before flying out to visit other elements of 3 Para in the Sovereign Base areas of Cyprus.

(VAC Photo)

Those of us on thet our were given an excellent overview of the NIA, now nearly underneath a ton of bird guano.

(VAC Photo)

We stopped to viewthe wreckage of the Cyprus Airways Hawker Siddeley HS-121 Trident 2E jetliner,Reg. No. 5B-DAB, that had been trapped in the hanger of the old Cyprus Airways when the war came.

(CAR Photo)

Blue Beret Camp (Kyyko Camp) was the site of my first military jumps out of a British HC-5 Westland Wessex helicopter, on 17 Sep 1986. The British Red Devils Parachute Team sent a representative to coordinate the various UN jumpers who were to take part in their medals ceremony. I represented Canada.  When the other countries declined to participate, we all became Red Devil’s and put on their uniforms and parachute equipment, just like during my Sky Hawk days.  We made five practice jumps, but also had one emergency landing with the helicopter due to a fire in the instrument panel.  Never a good idea to stay with a helicopter when something goes wrong with it, as they have the gliding characteristics of a brick.  They repaired it, however, and we went back to the practice jumps.  It was a long hot day, but a good one. Our sixth jump took place during the British medals parade.  We built a successful 7-way formation and then all of us landed on target with flags flying.

(Author Photo)

Pool area of the Hilton Hotel Nicosia.

(Author Photo)

Canadians with the UN in Cyprus display in the Hotel.

In the afternoon of 9 Nov, Faye and I attended a Cypriot Panel Discussion in the Dionysis Room in the Hilton Hotel.  That evening we also took part in a UN meet and greet dinner in the hotel.

(VAC Photo)

On Sunday morning,10 Nov, we were taken by bus to Waynes Keep Cemetery (located at the former Blue Beret Camp) maintained by Commonwealth War Graves Commission, for a Service of Remembrance.  The cemetery is located a few km West of Nicosia. Here lie many service personnel, including a number ofCanadians, as well as dependants and civilians who have died since the Second World War. It is uniquely located within the Buffer Zone and adds to the dignity of the occasion. I had bicycled around this place base on many occasions 37 years ago, not a lot had changed. Several 100 soldiers, their families and guests were in attendance.

(VAC Photo)

Author with one of the British pipers at the ceremony.

(VAC Photo)

Author with the British pipers at the ceremony.

(VAC Photo)

As noted during the ceremony, all nations remember their dead, and UNFICYP, “a family of nations” remembers the 183 military and supporting personnel engaged in peacekeeping operations, who lost their lives in Cyprus.

The service was presided over by UK The Reverend Trudy Hobson CF. Floyd Powder from the Métis National Council read “In Flanders Fields” written by John McCrae in May1915.  LCdr Reverend David N. Jackson CD read prayers for the fallen. UK Defence Advisor, Col Victoria Reid OBE, sang the first verse of the Gradual Hymn and then the congregation joined. It was extremely well done.

In the afternoonour VAC group was taken by bus an hour southeast to Dhekelia Cemetery.  I had taken a good number of CAR soldiers tothe UK base at Dhekelia, jump mastering them from a light aircraft on their first sport parachute jumps.

On Sunday, 10 November, our VAC group visited the Dhekelia Cemetery, where the remains of nine Canadians of the 28 who lost their lives in Cyprus during their tour nowrest.

(VAC Photo)

(VAC Photo)

Lieutenant Ken E.Edwards, age 44, had been serving with UNFICYP  as a member of the Canadian Intelligence Corps(C Int C) in 1964, when injuries from wounds he sustained during the Second World War caught up with him and he died. Four members of our Intelligence Branch, Greg Jensen, Mike Beauvais, Barry MacDonald and myself, had all served in UNFICYP, and we took part in ceremonies to pay our respects to our C Int C colleague.

(VAC Photo)

I noted that during my tour, we lost MCpl Mark McRae who was killed in a climbing accident while touring St Hilarion castle.  I spoke with our group during the visit to the cemetery in Dhekelia. I remember that it was a very down evening for all of us when his body was brought back to Wolseley Barracks in Nicosia on 6 December 1986.  Our Regimental Chaplain, Captain Reg Gilbert called our Headquarters and Signals Squadron (HQ & Sig Sqn) together to quietly talk to us about the accident. As you can imagine, particularly for those of us who served in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Afghanistan and a host of similar missions, the mood was very sombre – we all knew each other, Mark was no stranger.

(RCAF Photo)

Jumpers exiting a Lockheed CC-130 Hercules.

When the Regiment returned to CFB Petawawa, Reg carried Mark's ashes with him on our first jump at home.  On 24 March 1987, Reg was the first out the door of the Lockheed CC-130 Hercules transport.  We paused for a few seconds before we followed him, allowing space to represent “the missing man” as the rest of the chalk of MCpl McRae’s brother paratroopers jumped in his honour.  In accordance with Mark’s wishes, Reg scattered his ashes over the Drop Zone (DZ) as he descended.

MCpl McRae does not have a grave marker in Cyprus, because he was one of the first of many Canadians killed on duty overseas, to be flown back to Canada.  Those of you who have taken part in a ramp ceremony, or seen the recreation of it in the film “Fallen Heroes” will understand that this is no small thing. We do military funerals with absolute dignity and honour – we all know that it could be one of us one day, and it must be done right. As we honour our dead and injured, we also honour those who lost a member of their family.

(VAC Photo)

VAC kindly provided roses for our group to lay at the graves of fallen Canadians inthe Dhekelia cemetery.

(VAC Photo)

Canada’s High Commissioner, Her Excellency Karine Asselin joined us for the visit to Dhekelia Cemetery.

(VAC Photo)

Elder Leona Neville and her partnerLeonard Neville took part in the commemorative ceremonies at Dhekelia.

(VAC Photo)

Military personnel were not the only ones interred in the Dhekelia Cemetery. The remains of 531 children are also buried there. I spoke with a woman who made it her mission to ensure that a teddy bear or other stuffed animal was placed with each child’s tombstone,to ensure they are not forgotten.

(VAC Photo)

Dhekelia children’s memorial.

That evening weall attended the final group dinner in the hotel. Lots of interestingconversations, photos and stories told.

On Monday, 11 November,we were taken by bus to the Canadian Remembrance Day Ceremony held at WolseleyBarracks.  The buildings we worked in 37years ago are mostly still standing, but not in great shape. We were met by a BritishUN soldier from Fiji.

Four former CFPT Sky Hawks and CAR veteransof Cyprus, the author, Pierre Deschenes in the back, Jim Ogden and Karl Ozolsin front, at the 11 Nov commemoration in Nicosia.

(VAC Photo)

The service began with “O Canada”. Knowledge Keeper Robert Ouellette sang the Warrior Song and carriedout a smudging. Elder Leona Neville gave a blessing, and Padre LCdr David Jackson presided over the prayers. Wreaths were laid by a number of us taking part in the gathering for the ceremony.

(AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)

Canadian veteran Michelle Angela Hamelin laid a wreath at the unveiling of a plaquecommemorating the 60^th anniversary of Canada's contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus at Wolseley Barracks inside the UN-controlled buffer zone cleaving the capital Nicosia, Cyprus, on Monday, 11 Nov 2024. Michelle had been serving with the RCR when I arrived in 1986.  Small world.

One never knows when you will run into helicopter people. I helped organize and took part in anumber of aviation events that involved No. 403 Helicopter Operational Training Squadron at 5 Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown (5 CDSB Gagetown). During the 11 November Remembrance Day ceremonies at Wolseley Barracks in Nicosia, Jane MacIsaaac and Brianne Peters handed me a wreath to lay on behalf of the CPVA.As our group saluted and turned to march off, LCol Allan Ireland CO of No. 403 Squadron, reached out to shake hands – small world. He was there with a group of CF personnel standing by to carry out evacuations from the war zone to the East of us, should the need arise.

Refreshments were provided at the Ledra Palace.  I met and spoke with a number of participants, including two RCN members. I mentioned that I had earned my Competent Crew certificate sailing from Halifax to Lunenberg as one of six sailors on the 36-foot Sail Training Vessel (STV) Tuna. One of the ladies I spoke with mentioned she is the CO of the STV Tuna, which is used for a wide variety of sail training, team building, community outreach and adventure training, and now resides at CFB Esquimalt on the West Coast of British Columbia. She kindly gave me a souvenir pin of the STV Tuna.

The author at thehelm of STV Tuna.

That last evening in Nicosia, we took part in a farewell dinner. We ate well, talked long, andenjoyed the company of a good number of comrades and friends.

The next morning,Tuesday, 12 Nov, we set off by bus to Larnaka Airport and a series of farewells– we will meet again.  Faye and I proceededto take a taxi to an air b and b in Larnaca at the MacKenzie View Residence, 14 Goethe Street.

For the next few days, we unlaxed, explored themuseums and restaurants of Larnaka and walked along the Mediterranean beachnear our place of rest.

I am glad to have had the chance to representthe Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association in Cyprus on the 60thAnniversary of the UN operations on the island. Faye and I stayed in Larcana until20 Nov, then flew to Athens on an Airbus A320neo, then a 10-hour flight toMontreal on a Boeing 787-8, and a final flight to Fredericton on an AirbusA220.  Glad to be home!

(Author Photo)

Larnaca.

(Author Photo)

Old Fort, Larnaca.

(Author Photo)

Smooth Bore Muzzle Loading cannon, heavily corroded, Old Fort in Larnaca.

Hal with a cannon, of course.

Nico Brinck's illustration of the cast iron 12-pounder smoothbore muzzleloadin (SBML) cannon, weight 29-0-15 (3,283 lbs), cast during the reign of King George III (1760-1820). Mounted on a wooden carriage inside the Old Fort, Larnaca.

Faye at the Old Fort, view looking West.