Dear editor,
As this community knows very well, military life has truly unique stresses.
Our organization, in defence of this great country, creates specific demands on our personnel.
Our families are moved regularly and are faced with the stress of finding jobs, medical care, schools, living in their second language and just settling into new communities.
The Comox Valley is a great place to call home, and many organizations, businesses and community partners have helped to reduce the stress to our families when they are posted here.
As the Wing Commander, I would like to personally thank you for your continued support of our families and our serving military members.
In particular, Highland Medical Clinic has greatly assisted our newly arriving members to secure a family doctor.
School Districts 71 and 93 have consistently assisted and have been extremely attentive to the transition of our children to new schools in a different provincial education system. SD71 has also been very supportive of our family members whom they employ, with considerations to the needs of military life.
As well, North Island College has made significant in-roads in the pursuit of distance learning options and credit transfers to other educational institutions aimed at better serving our members and their families, all this to address the very transient nature of military life.
Finally, to all the businesses who have and who are currently employing our family members, I have often touted the benefits of hiring our military spouses and family members.
They carry with them a wide variety of transferable skills and second-to-none unique experiences.
They have experience successfully adapting to change.
Employers are beginning to realize that this untapped pool of talented workers is not only capable but is in fact exactly what is needed 鈥� a great match for available positions and the workplace culture.
The efforts of these organizations and the entire Comox Valley community in easing the stressors associated with moving are greatly appreciated by our members and their families.
Thank you for making this a great place and community for us to raise our families.
Col. Michel Lalumi猫re
19 Wing Commander
