News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By LeRae Haynes

Members of the Delta Company, First Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry stopped in Boitanio Park on Sunday, where the Legion hosted a lunch for the group. They were on their way back from Alexis Creek, where they had gone for a special service for fellow soldier Lieutenant Andrew Nuttall who was among five soldiers in the battalion who was killed in southern Afghanistan.

(Photo by Trista Duffin: Members of the Delta Company, First Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry enjoyed patriotic cake on Sunday, as well as a lunch provided by the Legion.)

The soldiers were escorted from the covered picnic area to the main stage by the Williams Lake Pipe Band. The crowd was addressed by Legion Zone Commander Vivian MacNeil, Mayor Kerry Cook and CRD Board Director Al Richmond. Also present were Legion President John Halfnights, CRD Director Deb Bischoff and City Councilor Surinder Rathor.

Each speaker thanked the soldiers for their service and their sacrifice. “These people make a difference in the world every single day,” Al Richmond stated.

The crowd was also addressed by Major Wayne Niven and by the battalion padre, who read the names of all five soldiers in the group who lost their lives.

(Photo: Community residents Jan and Stan Hermiston, whose son is currently serving in Afghanistan, had the opportunity to speak again with Sergeant Kevin Lincez. On Friday when the group was en route to Alexis Creek, he stopped and gave Jan a hug, telling her that since her son couldn’t be there to give her one, he would step in and ‘be her boy’ that day.)

Major Wayne Nivens said that this weekend would be their last time together as a battalion, and that it was especially meaningful to attend a special ceremony for Andrew, spend time with his family and meet community members and groups in Williams Lake.

During their seven-and-a-half month mission in Kandahar, the battalion partnered with a 70-man company of Afghan National Army soldiers and lived among the Afghan locals. “It takes time, patience and creativity to build trust with the locals,” he explained. “This was the longest NATO presence in the area since 2001.”

He said that spending time with Andrew’s parents really reminded the group of the sacrifice that their own families make. “I have a wife and two young daughters and they have put up with my being gone for the better part of four years,” he continued.

(Photo: Members of the Wiliams Lake Pipe Band escorted the platoon through Boitanio Park to the main stage.)

Major Niven said that at the funeral service for Andrew in December, the family approached him to see if the platoon could travel to Alexis Creek for the raising of the ranch sign and header on the family’s property---Cayoosh Ranch. The sign was carved by Chilcotin artist and carver Ken Sheen from Riske Creek.

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