Awestruck

It is difficult to remember where I was and what happened this morning let alone five decades ago. But as soon as the notices and memories started appearing about the Snowbirds’ first official show at Canadian Forces Base Moose Jaw on July 11, 1971, the memory chip clicked in and the details of that show became clear. Billed as the largest one-day show in North America, the Saskatchewan Homecoming Air Show got off to a wet start, and for a short time, there was some doubt the show would go ahead, whether crowds could be accommodated amidst the puddles and saturated parking lots. At our house on Coteau St. E., preparations for the show had begun the day before. I fried the chicken, made the salads, chilled the soft drinks, dusted the lawn chairs, folded a blanket and froze bottles of water to put into the food hamper. Our air show picnic was set and ready to go at a moment’s notice. Our young nephew was super excited to attend the show and when there was some doubt the show would go ahead, he was despondent. Then the good news came. The show would begin at 1 p.m. (I believe that was the correct time) and the province was invited to the base. We loaded the car in a hurry and drove to the end of the next block so we could turn left and get onto the No. 2 Highway going south. What a shock we got when we got to that intersection and discovered cars lined up bumper to bumper and only crawling ahead by inches. We slapped our press pass for the vehicle onto the dash board and attempted to sneak into the line. None of the drivers were giving up an inch but they gave up some pretty creepy dirty looks. Then the city police arrived on scene, saw our official air show pass and halted traffic so we could get into line. It took awhile but we eventually got to the base and through the gates to the reserved parking area for the press. Finding a spot to position our chairs and picnic supplies was the next objective. A small grassy spot was available so we hurried to claim it for ourselves, possibly nudging others out of our path. We soon lost track of the nephew, he being of the opinion he needed to be right at the fence for the best vantage point. His whereabouts was eventually discovered and the day proceeded. It was shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers from near and far, all there to see an amazing lineup of civilian and military aircraft, but most importantly to see the Snowbirds, named in a contest led by Lois Boyle, administrative assistant to Base Commander Col. O.B. Philp. Both are now deceased but their work towards ensuring the existence of the Snowbirds air demonstration team will always be remembered as the Squadron celebrates its history later this year. Meanwhile, back at the 1971 air show, rented porta potties couldn’t handle the crowds, nor could the food ven-

Joyce Walter dors. Col. Philp’s expectations for the day were met and For Moose Jaw Express exceeded. Unfortunately many potential attendees from ronjoy@sasktel.net all four directions went home without making it to the Base gates. It was estimated by some means that 45,000 attended the show and another 40,000 went home unhappy. Of course they grumbled and were disappointed but those in attendance sent up exuberant cheers in their absence when the Snowbirds performed that memorable show. At the end of the day, we retrieved our nephew and our other belongings and made our way to the car. Getting home took awhile and for some reason, traffic directors paid absolutely no attention to our official passes. Imagine that! Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net

New police recruits urged to serve others, overcome challenges Jason G. Antonio - Moose Jaw Express

The four new police recruits pose for pictures after the swearing-in ceremony. From left are constables Calee Sawyer, Dustin Caplette-Tarrant, Gradyn Childerhose and Sarah Kristy. Photo by Jason G. Antonio

New police recruit Const. Sarah Kristy gave an enthusiastic fist pump while reading the police oath during a recent swearing-in ceremony, an action that accompanied her ecstatic smile. Kristy and fellow recruits Dustin Caplette-Tarrant, Gradyn Childerhose and Calee Sawyer were the centres of attention on July 16 in the newly renovated A.E. Peacock High School Auditorium, as Judge Brian Hendrickson officially affirmed them into the Moose Jaw Police Service. Afterward, family and friends had the opportunity to take pictures with the new officers. The recruits will now spend the next 20 weeks going through training school. “This day means a lot,” Kristy, 36, said afterward. She switched careers two years ago and completed policing college in Manitoba, and when she saw an opening in Moose Jaw, she jumped at it, she explained. She and her husband are a military family — he now works at the airbase — and wanted to live in the heart of Canada. Kristy has followed the Moose Jaw Police Service for the last two years and has seen the internal changes that Police Chief Rick Bourassa has made, she continued. That gave her confidence knowing she would be working with a chain of command that “gives a darn about the family,” work-life balance, and how shifts are scheduled. The fact the community is safe and affordable was also drawing points, Kristy said. They have lived almost everywhere in Canada, which made it difficult for her to build up her hairdressing business, but now they have the chance to plant roots in one place. Becoming a police officer will allow Kristy to show her two kids and other children that it’s possible to reach this point, especially from a low socio-economic background. While her mother didn’t think college was possible, her in-laws said they would support her financially if she wanted to go to school. “So when I saw that tiger’s tale, I grabbed it, and I had great success as the top candidate in my last college, and I’m looking forward to showing that here,” Kristy added. Overcoming challenges was one theme discussed during the swearing-in ceremony, along with serving the community. Mayor Fraser Tolmie, chairman of the Board of Police Commissioners, pointed out that the previous group of recruits trained during the early stages of the pandemic. Yet, he reminded the four new officers that the police service wants to help them succeed even now. Furthermore, the organization wants to care for their families, who, in turn, are there to support the recruits through challenges such as exams or fitness activities. The recruits will be “stretched to the max” and tested during training since they will be tested on the street, Tolmie continued. Further, since many people in the community need support, the recruits will have to help them “through thick and thin.” Besides welcoming the recruits, the ceremony was also about recognizing their character and integrity, Bourassa said. While they faced tough entrance exams — including aptitude and intelligence tests — what the police service wants is people with sound inner qualities. Law enforcement is a small part of what police do since most of their work is to support people who are struggling, he continued. Police work in the margins with people who feel excluded from society. While it’s challenging to work in that area, it’s also rewarding. “We are crime preventers, we are peacekeepers, we are problem solvers, we’re community builders,” he added. “And our goal is to continue building a community that is safe, that’s harmonious where everyone gets along, and that’s inclusive … .” Judge Hendrickson echoed Bourassa’s comments, saying the best peace officer is not necessarily someone who puts people in jail but is a good citizen, neighbour, mediator, problem-solver and ambassador. He encouraged them to seek out role models in the organization, work hard and do their best to serve Moose Jaw.

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