Service

Heroes Remember

Service

Transcript

Interviewer: Can you share with us the experiences of your services in your tours of duty? I was really very fortunate. I went from serving in Edmonton with the jump battalion over to Europe in 1966. I served as part of the British Army on the Rhine, a very serious army. It was during the time of the Cold War, there were still problems we were having with some, some of the people in Germany who hadn't gotten over the war still. We had, we ended up with the, with the Czech, Czech revolution happening, and we thought all, all hell was going to break loose. And we were prepared and standing on guard in case the Russian Army came across, across their border. It didn't happen, we were very blessed, but we were prepared. I then ended up coming back to Canada, in 1970, after I closed out the base, Fort MacLeod, Germany. I was the last soldier there, I guess I was supposed to turn off the lights as the British Army took it over. I came back to Canada and served with my battalion again, second battalion. I then went to the Airborne regiment and served with them. I've served in every Province across Canada and in the Arctic, and in truly Greenland, on resupply of alert. I was very blessed to have the opportunity to see every part of Canada, and one of the greatest blessings was serving for four years in Gagetown, at the school of infantry. Where I got to learn how the system actually trains our young officers, and found it such a wonderful experience, and such a positive experience. Not only for myself but also for the young men and women who want to be officers in our Canadian Forces. I then came back to the battalion and ended up going overseas in ‘84 to ‘88, again, but this time as part of Sentag. Serving in Southern Germany as part of Sentag, we were responsible for the southern quarter out to the Czech border. And again, we had some difficulties, there was a time in which the green party had become very strong, we occasionally had our vehicles shot at. And it was a peaceful time, the country was at peace, but there was still the threat of the cold war. And it was only within three years after coming back from that service that the Berlin Wall came down, and the Cold War was over. That was such a blessing.

Description

Mr. Borchert details the highlights of his service.

Ed Borchert

Mr. Borchert was born in 1944, in Red Deer, Alberta. In 1964, Mr Borchert joined the Forces at Currie Barracks in Calgary and became a member of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI).Throughout his 31 years of service, Mr. Borchert served overseas and in every province in Canada. He remains very proud of his service, and appreciative toward the Canadian military for the opportunities it provided him.Mr. Borchert ended his career as the Regimental Major of the PPCLI and began fighting for Veterans rights. Today he holds the position of president of the National Metis Veterans Association campaigning and working for his people to gain recognition and benefits for their military service to Canada.

Meta Data

Medium:: Video
Owner:: Veterans Affairs Canada
Duration:: 03:34
Person Interviewed:: Ed Borchert
Branch:: Army
Units/Ship:: Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI)
Rank:: Major

Related Videos

First Day Wasn't My Best

Mr Borchert recalls his first day in the military, explaining how he kept getting into trouble because he didn’t know proper procedures or protocol.

Be Whatever You Want

Mr Borchert explains how he appreciated the opportunities the military exposed him to.

Cold-War

Mr. Borchert explains how the cold war was a war of words, and how the conflict originated.

All Equals

Mr Borchert explains his appreciation for Veterans who encouraged him to succeed during his service, and how all soldiers are equal no matter of race.

Aboriginal Spiritual Journey

Mr. Borchert recalls how the Aboriginal Spiritual Journey was conceived, and how it was important in order to bring the spirit of fallen warriors home.

Join the Forces

Mr Borchert encourages aboriginal youth, and anyone else thinking they have no future, to serve in the military. To be a warrior for peace and use the opportunities it presents to make their dreams come true.

Never Done Serving

Mr. Borchert describes how when he left the military, he didn’t stop serving. He continued serving in a different way, fighting for Veterans rights.

Date modified:: 2019-06-20