Friendship Always There

Heroes Remember

Friendship Always There

Transcript

Even though I look back and if I would do anything different it would be the way that I treated my family. That would be the biggest thing. But for career wise, no, the friends that I have made and the bonds that were formed, you can’t ask for that ever. I got guys that I haven’t talked to probably in five years, like physically talked to. We might chat on Facebook but as soon as you see him it was like you were talking to him yesterday. Laughing and joking and talking about the good times, talking about the bad times and it’s amazing. It was a good ride. It was a really good ride while it lasted. You miss the brotherhood. Every day you wake up and if you’re in the field you’re waking up beside him. You go to work, you see him at work, you’re laughing, you’re joking and then all of a sudden it stopped and that’s what you miss. You don’t really miss the job. I am fortunate. Twenty seven years I was three years from my goal retirement date so I have had a fulfilling career where I was very fortunate. You know, young guys who have to get out early or young ladies that have to get out early. I feel really bad for them trying to overcome everything and worry about what am I going to do for the rest of my life. Every day is a lot of work. I still got to, there are certain times I just got to bite my tongue and breathe and relax but for the most part I am trying to make up for lost time but it’s hard now because before they always wanted to do something with you and now one is twenty-one, one is eighteen. I take the time with them when I got it. And with my wife, usually it’s more time now with my wife usually. We’re at the camp by ourselves now instead of with the kids. You just got to take it one day at a time. I don’t like living with that day ending the day on a regret. I have done that too many times and now when I go to sleep it’s like, okay today was a good day!

Description

Mr. Reist speaks about the connection he continues to have with fellow comrades and how fortunate he is to have their support.

Mike Reist

Mr. Mike Reist was born December 18, 1969 in Waterloo, Ontario. Having had a great uncle as a role model, Mike made the choice to join the Canadian Forces, only advising his family of these intentions two weeks prior to attending infantry training. Mike joined with 2 RCR, 2nd Battalion Infantry Division and held rank of warrant officer. Mike has a long record of service overseas - Cyprus 1991, Bosnia 1992,’96, ’99, Africa 2000, Afghanistan 2003, ’07 and Haiti in 2005. Mike had 27½ years of military service. Mike is very proud of his military career and is quoted as saying, “It’s the best thing that ever happened!” Upon medical release, Mike was stricken with PTSD and has become an advocate in speaking out about this condition. He is presently active with the Soldier On program and has competed in the Invictus Games in Toronto 2017 as part of Team Canada’s wheelchair rugby. Mike presently resides in Gagetown, New Brunswick with his wife and family.

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