I’m a Veteran!
Heroes Remember
I’m a Veteran!
Transcript
Description
Mr. Neepin explains his hatred for the ‘peacekeeping' moniker and laments how some Canadian citizens and ‘War Veterans' contend peacekeepers aren't ‘real Veterans'.
Darcy Jeremy Neepin
Mr Neepin was born in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, and moved to Winnipeg with his family while still young. An uncle who served with the 1st Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) told him many stories as he grew up. From these stories he gained knowledge of what military life as an infantryman was like and before he turned 12 years old he was sure he wanted to serve. At the age of 18 Mr. Neepin joined the Cameron Highlanders Reserves. Being of Cree descent, he was the only Aboriginal Canadian in his recruiting class of 30. In 1990 Mr. Neepin answered the call for volunteers to join the 1st Battalion PPCLI for a peacekeeping tour in Cyprus. Having his first overseas experience under his belt, he returned home in the summer of 1991. Mr Neepin continued to volunteer for overseas peacekeeping missions, serving with the PPCLI for the 1992/93 tour in Croatia and in 1997 & 2000 in Bosnia.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Duration:
- 04:22
- Person Interviewed:
- Darcy Jeremy Neepin
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Canadian Armed Forces
- Location/Theatre:
- Bosnia
- Branch:
- Army
- Units/Ship:
- Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI)
- Rank:
- Private
Related Videos
Nicosia, Cyprus - No Man’s Land
Mr. Neepin explains some of the history of the conflict in Cyprus, and the significance of Nicosia.
Reality Check - Gun to the Head
Mr. Neepin recalls a tense situation during which he and his sergeant’s lives were threatened.
Why a Tour in Croatia?
Mr. Neepin explains his reasons for volunteering for a tour in Croatia.
Croatia - A Different World
Mr. Neepin explains how the conflict in Croatia was different from that in Cyprus.
The Heart of Canadian Soldiers
Mr. Neepin describes escorting civilians into invaded towns to retrieve items from their homes. He recalls one particular escort in which he felt they as Canadians went the extra mile.
Hard Not to Get Involved
Mr. Neepin explains the difficulty he felt in being ordered to observe conflicts or persecution of civilians, and document the aftermath, but not get involved unless directly fired upon.
Conflict Resolution and Persecution
Mr. Neepin describes escorting civilians back to homes which they had been removed from, and how households would be denied services because of their religion.
The Difference a Few Years Can Make
Mr. Neepin describes seeing a huge difference in Javar, Bosnia between his first tour there in 1997, and his second tour in 2000.
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