ED GIBBONS: CO-CHAIR EDMONTON SALUTES COMMITTEE
Edmonton owes a great deal to our military. Our troops risk their lives to ensure our country remains strong and free, and they and their families contribute enormously to our local economy. With over 6,500 military, civilian and volunteer members, CFB Edmonton is home to one of the largest concentrations of DND personnel anywhere in the world. I am personally honoured to help recognize and support our national forces. Please join us, whenever the occasion arises, in offering your prayers, best wishes or a simple “thank-you” to the brave men and women who truly stand on guard for thee. ~ Ed Gibbons
LT. COL. THOMAS BRADLEY, COMMANDER CFB EDMONTON ~ INTERVIEW
Q. What are the three things you would most like to communicate to the residents of Greater Edmonton about CFB Edmonton?
A. The three things I would most like to communicate about CFB Edmonton to the people of Edmonton and area are:
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1. We are a community within the communities that make up this part of the province
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2. The men and women that serve, face the same challenges many people face in their day-to-day lives — things like paying bills, raising families — all while training to deploy on operations or supporting people on operations overseas
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3. I want to ensure everyone that, as a community, we will continue to take an active role pitching-in to make this one of the best places to live in Canada and we look forward to continue working cooperatively with our neighbours to that end.
Q. What is CFB Edmonton's economic contribution to the Edmonton region?
A. CFB Edmonton is a major economic contributor to the local economy. We have over 5,900 military personnel on the Base along with an additional 600 civilian employees. Between those salaries and the goods and services purchased to support our ongoing operations and training, we represent a large economic contributor to the overall wealth of this region.
CFB Edmonton is also receiving a major influx of new capital spending starting later this year (2009) as work begins on a 97-unit Yukon Lodge that will provide quarters for visiting soldiers, sailors and airmen and women. Construction on that project is scheduled to be completed in 2011.
Q. The Edmonton Salutes Committee has done great work helping to build relationships between the Edmonton Garrison and the community. What is CFB Edmonton doing to reciprocate?
A. We have begun a process of making the Base more accessible through events like our Canada Day festivities in Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Park. We will continue our efforts to make sure people from across Canada and abroad are welcome here at CFB Edmonton and, of course, we welcome the opportunity to work with volunteers to that end.
Connect-2-Edmonton
OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT
“The outpouring of support we have seen over the past couple of years is a reflection of the strong community values [here]. This spirit and volunteerism is part of what makes the Edmonton region one of the best places to live. It’s also something that isn’t widely seen in other parts of the country and something I think we should take pride in.”
~ Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Bradley, Commander CFB Edmonton
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