EDMONTON – More than 30 members of the Canadian Forces returned home to Edmonton after spending the past month deployed to the Philippines.
Thirty-one members of the 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron were met by loved ones at the Edmonton Garrison Thursday.
“The closer you get to home, you’re thinking of things to do. It’s Christmastime and everything like that, so it’s the best part of coming home, really, is during that time,” said Warrant Officer Mario Pelletier, whose wife, daughter and son were at the Garrison to greet him.
The troops were sent overseas 30 days ago to help bring in food and medical supplies following Typhoon Haiyan. The devastating typhoon struck the Philippines on Nov. 8, killing more than 6,000 people and leaving more than three million people homeless. Officials say another 1,800 people are still missing.
“It was just completely destroyed. Trees are stripped of leaves, there’s shacks all over the place, there’s some that are standing. By the time we got there some had been rebuilt, but there was a lot of people that had been displaced,” said Major Phil Shilling.
READ MORE: Death toll from Typhoon Haiyan in Philippines passes 6,000 mark
While rewarding, Shilling says the tour was also extremely emotional.
“Sometimes we would shut down and we’d be flooded with children. It’s a hugely emotional feeling, being able to help these people.”
This group of soldiers didn’t know if they’d be home in time to spend the holidays with their own families. But they say it was the connection with the people of the Philippines that made being away just a little bit easier.
“I can’t say enough about the people of the Philippines. They were so resilient and they were willing to help us at every moment,” said Captain Ian Bonnell. “They would help us offload and it was amazing to work with them.”
“We are there until the job is done, that’s our job. And if it ends up being over Christmas, our families understand. But it was more important that we assist them in having them get a good Christmas and get themselves on their feet so they could start with the recovery effort,” Shilling added.
These members were part of Task Force Philippines, which included more than 300 Canadian Forces personnel who contributed to Canada’s relief efforts in the Philippines.
With files from Shannon Greer, Global News.
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