After returning from a training excercise in Wainwright, Alta., at the beginning of June, I sign my detachment over to Golf Troop and I remain part of Fox Troop, scheduled for an upcoming tour of duty to Afghanistan. Half of my detachment members remain together in their troop, the other half are divided up between the other troops in 3 Squadron.

A few of my soldiers were hoping we would be able to stick together longer, but the squadron has to plan for future deployments and decides to spread the knowledge base of my soldiers around. Although not everyone likes where they head off to, it gives an idea of when they can expect to be deployed overseas.

I find myself filling the role of the Fox Troop training and administration sergeant, as I am only slated as an alternate for the upcoming tour. Essentially, if anything happens to the other two sergeants, or for some reason they cannot deploy, then I will replace them. I have to be ready to deploy, but in the end, I may not go.

I have seen some people at CFJSR (Canadian Forces Joint Signals Regiment) deploy with only a couple of weeks' notice, and since I just left the High Readiness Troop, I am pretty much ready to go. Nathalie and the boys understand the situation, and although it would not be ideal for me to deploy, we hope that, if I have to go, it won't interfere with Christmas.

Afghanistan makes the headlines every week or two with its steadily growing list of casualties, tragically reminding the nation of the human cost of the mission. The new, large Canadian flag at CFB Kingston, in Ontario, is one of the first symbols I see every day when I head to work, and, sadly over the past few months, it has been lowered to half mast at least every two weeks on the death or burial of fallen soldiers. It is a solemn reminder to all who drive by or through the gates of the price that is paid for what we believe in.

The recent naming of the "Highway of Heroes" along Ontario's 401 freeway seems such a small yet fitting tribute to those who travel its path in memorial police and military escorts. The impromptu thousands of mourners and respect-payers for each soldier who makes that final journey from CFB Trenton to Toronto demonstrate the support that Canadians have for their fallen, and for soldiers as a whole. There are no politics, no protests and no demonstrations, just support for those who have paid the ultimate price.

As the summer wears on, Nathalie, the boys and I keep our minds busy and as far away from military life as possible. We hit the local beach a few times for swimming and watch the U.S. Marine Corps silent drill team at Fort Henry in Kingston, an amazing display by both the Marines and the Fort Henry Guard. But the highlight of the summer is a trip to Canada's Wonderland.

Both boys have been there before, but they were both too small to remember, and probably wouldn't admit to having gone on the swan or train rides anyways. Now, showing the typical child's lack of fear, they are rearing to go on all the rides. We break up into two groups, Nathalie with her friend Amanda, and me with the boys. I'm not really a huge fan of thrill rides (despite being to Afghanistan twice and experiencing the Hercules C-130 combat flight into the country), but I like hanging out with the boys.

Children's lack of fear is sometimes not a good thing, and Jonathan and Jeremy drag me around to every ride that they can. I have to put on a brave face. Smiling, I climb into the seats of such rides as Thunder Run, Silver Streak and the Italian Job, to name a few. They call them kids rides, but they still make my stomach jump. Were the boys bigger, I'm sure they would drag me onto the Drop Zone as well.

Although I have been training on my own over the summer holidays, I finally get permission to train during normal PT (physical training) periods for the 2 Brigade ironman competition in Petawawa, Ont. It's a gruelling army competition that involves a 32-kilometre march, a 4-km portage, an 8-km canoe and a final 6-km run, all while wearing combat boots, pants, T-shirt and a 40-pound rucksack.

I don't have a problem with the running portion (except for the aches and pains), but I talk to the guys in the troop for portaging and canoeing advice. A couple of guys have done the competition before, and several are experienced with white-water canoeing, and they willingly offer tidbits of help and even come down to the water to coach.

I have gotten used to the early morning runs and actually look forward to the gruelling workout, quite often getting encouragement from fellow runners and soldiers doing their own PT, and even people driving by.

Doing something like the ironman competition isn't about winning; it's simply about doing it. It's the challenge of the competition itself that draws me to it, reminding me that sometimes the daily grind is worth the challenge that life presents, even if it you have to look for it.

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LETTERS:

Sergeant Storring's 'The Daily Grind' was a very thoughtful, beautiful story of a soldier, a loving husband and father. His outlook on life is an inspiration that I hope young Canadians would strive to emulate.

While Sergeant Storring does not appear to see life through 'rose-coloured glasses' he is a very positive person. He enjoys time with his family; he recognizes his domestic as well as professional responsibilities.

Sergeant Storring deserves recognition as a loyal husband, father, and soldier. Canadians should be proud that there are men like him who are ready and prepared to serve his country.

With a third tour looming in Sergeant Storring's future, I salute him and pray for his safe return to his family from his duty.

—Peter Forsberg | Ottawa