Parcels of love for Simcoe troops standing guard against Russia

Care package parcels are assembled and shipped by Kim Jenereaux, second from right, from the 69th Field Battery Association in Simcoe and Kim Jones, far right, from the Southwestern Military Family Resource Centre. Financial support was provided by the Norfolk Shrine Club and the Who Did It Club, represented by Chris Davis, far left, and the Army Navy Air Force Unit 255 Simcoe, represented by Willy Koncir, second from left, and Bruce Wilson, third from left. John Charleau, third from right, is president of the 69th Field Battery Association.

J.P. Antonacci

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Of the thirty-odd treats found inside care packages shipped to soldiers from Simcoe stationed in Latvia, one item may turn some heads.

It’s not every day a freeze-dried apple doughnut shows up on a military base in the Baltics.

The young Canucks helping safeguard NATO’s eastern flank against Russian incursion may also have to explain what a “chip nut” is and what goes into a double-double.

The chocolates, chips and other tastes of home — plus local newspapers and playing cards to pass the time — are certainly enjoyed by members of the 56th Field Artillery Regiment, a reserve unit headquartered in Brantford with batteries in Simcoe and St. Catharines.

But it’s the artwork and handwritten notes of support from residents, schoolchildren and army cadets that tend to move soldiers the most.

“It’s not so much what’s in the parcels. It’s that somebody remembers them and thinks about them,” said Kim Jenereaux, secretary of the 69th Field Battery Association in Simcoe.

Jenereaux was at the Simcoe Legion on Tuesday wrapping parcels expected to reach Latvia by ship in mid-March.

Most of the goodies packed inside each shoebox are donated by local businesses.

Cash contributions from the Who Did It Club, Norfolk Shrine Club and the Simcoe branch of the Army Navy Airforce Club allow the association to include $50 gift cards for the 13 reservists — four from Simcoe — currently stationed in Latvia with “Operation Reassurance,” which Canada launched in 2014 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Canadian-led multinational artillery brigade “contributes to NATO deterrence and defence measures in Central and Eastern Europe,” according to Canada’s Department of National Defence.

A 24-year-old Hamilton soldier, Sebastian Halmagean, died in Latvia on Jan. 29 while on his first overseas deployment with the NATO force. His death is still under investigation by Canadian military authorities and Latvian police.

The care packages from Simcoe are timed to get to Latvia about halfway into what for most troops is a six-month deployment preceded by four months of training, explained Kim Jones from the Southwestern Ontario Family Resource Centre.

“They’re gone a long time. They’re missing Christmases and birthdays and all of those moments,” Jones said.

Getting a personalized parcel from home “means that somebody’s thinking of you,” Jones added.

“It’s a nice gesture from the association.”

The first round of parcels went out in September, and Jenereaux quoted a message from one of the soldiers — who cannot be publicly named for security reasons — saying the artwork and encouraging messages “were the best part.” The associations representing the troops from Simcoe, Brantford and St.  Catharines plan to periodically send care packages as long as soldiers from the 56th Field Artillery Regiment are stationed overseas.

Gifts from local businesses and monetary donations toward future parcels are welcome. Call 519-718-2684 or email fieldbtyassn69@hotmail.com.

“We’re just glad to be able to do this for them,” said Jenereaux, whose husband and children served in the military.

“They seem to be younger now,” she said of the current crop of soldiers.

“These guys are 18 to 22. They’re missing their families. So anything from home will help them know that we care.”

- J.P. Antonacci is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter based at the Hamilton Spectator. The initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.