London has a very rich, unique military history. Having had members of the community involved in every major military conflict in Canada’s history it was also the birth place of the Canadian Infantry Corps. However in more recent years the support for the Canadian Forces members in the London area. Soon more soldiers from The 4th Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment at Wolsey Barracks are going to to Latvia for the mission and possibly more heading to the peacekeeping mission in Mali. The community response to these soldiers leaving and the needs of their families will remain to be seen.
Speaking to Shannon Kisslinger of the London Military Family Resource Center, She told us of the hardships faced by not only the soldiers leaving home, but of the family’s left behind saying “it can effect everything from sleep, nutrition and even daily routine.”
Kisslinger also spoke of how the London community support and involvement supporting the local soldiers has been far from strong compared to other community’s like Windsor and Hamilton. She also spoke about local organizations being apprehensive of being connected to the military saying that the London community “Just doesn’t receive the military well.