Interaction with the Locals

Heroes Remember

Interaction with the Locals

Transcript

In a country like that they grow a lot of their own fruit, oranges and stuff like that, but when we’d come into a town or a village with our Ferret scout cars, the children used to gather around us, welcome us and be happy to get an orange from us or an apple if we had them along with us. They were very appreciative of any of those little gifts, I guess I’ll call them that, to get from the Canadians and they seemed to like the Canadian soldiers over there. I think they had respect for us and I think with us being there, of course, it certainly helped the economy because there was a lot of money spent there.

Description

Mr. Beyea speaks about the positive influence Canadian soldiers brought to the people of Cyprus.

Robert Beyea

Mr. Robert Beyea was born in Saint John, New Brunswick December 14, 1942. After obtaining his education, he was very anxious to join the military. Initially his preference was to become a sailor, however, with no vacancies and little patience, Mr. Beyea decided to join the army. In 1961, he became part of the Royal Dragoons Regiment and obtained basic training in Camp Borden, Ontario. Mr. Beyea chose the trade of tank driver and gunner and continued on to become an instructor training new recruits. Holding rank of corporal, he travelled to Cyprus in 1964 and was part of the first contingent to travel there on behalf of the Canadian military. Mr. Beyea later retired from the army and speaks to youth about his feelings on the importance of service in the military. Mr. Beyea now resides in Fredericton, New Brunswick with his family.

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