The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
I enjoy most of the news articles I write, but my favourites are the ones on people I admire. In recent weeks I have had the privilege of interviewing two of the men I most respect. The first is Mr. Stephen Baschuk, who moved to Denare Beach from Snow Lake in the early '90s. I was first aware of him back in high school as the guy who always wore army camouflage pants. Although we were in the same grade, I never got acquainted with him. We had one class together, but as I half-jokingly told him, our schedules didn't line up Ð when one of us wasn't cutting class, the other was. It wasn't until this past winter and summer, when he was on his second tour of Afghanistan with the Canadian Armed Forces, that I really got to know him. Through the wonder of technology, we were able to converse back and forth on Internet Messenger, which is basically a chat room for friends. For a couple of hours at a time Ð usually beginning around midnight for me, mid-morning for him Ð we'd shoot the breeze. I'd fill him in on the headlines back home and he'd tell me of his overseas adventures. Mr. Baschuk seemed in good spirits as always, but he was obviously on edge. Those of us back home praying for his safe return can't begin to imagine what this courageous young man endured. Throughout several months in the Kandahar region Ð one of the most deadly places on earth Ð Mr. Baschuk knew that every day might be his last. He saw unspeakable carnage, lost comrades, and was shot at. In a particularly trying incident, he fell down a 30 ft. well in the countryside. Yet this is the sort of thing Mr. Baschuk was willing to sign up for. He was willing to put his life on the line. For me. For you. For all Canadians and indeed the Free World. I know Mr. Baschuk doesn't consider himself a hero. Real heroes never do. But I do, and so does Canada. Nothing we ever say can ever adequately express our gratitude to him. Nevertheless, I just want to say thanks to Steve and all of Canada's soldiers. The world will never be the place we want it to be unless the bravest among us are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. The second gentleman I want to mention is Mr. Nazir Ahmad, the current city councillor (until tomorrow), former mayor, and all-round esteemed resident. Mr. Ahmad embodies everything that is great about Flin Flon. He's friendly, hardworking, modest, and willing to invest untold time and energy for the betterment of his community. What's most telling about Mr. Ahmad is that not once have I heard anyone say anything negative about him. How many people can you say that about? Unfortunately for us, Mr. Ahmad is moving. Our loss is Winnipeg's gain. Best wishes to Nazir as he starts a new chapter in his life. His legacy in Flin Flon will never be forgotten. Local Angle runs Fridays.
