Olympic Torch Lights Up CFB Shilo

Kyra and Tayah Lavoie stand next to their dad, Sergeant Marc Lavoie, who carried the torch

WINNIPEG, Mb - "It's phenomenal to be selected," said Master Warrant Officer Don Askeland, Company Sergeant Major for Combat Support Company with the Second Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.

"I'm stoked. My kids are stoked and the whole base is thrilled for this event to happen here in Shilo."

Canadian Forces Base Shilo was selected as one of 15 military bases across Canada that took part in the running of the Olympic Torch. Twenty CF members were chosen to take part in the run across the base on 8 January.

Sherri Fisher takes her turn as a torch bearer as the Olympic flame moves through Canadian Forces Base Shilo

"We're honoured to be one of the few bases where the Olympic Torch run will be running," said Lieutenant-Colonel Luc Genereux, Base Commander CFB Shilo

The Torch was brought to the Military Family Resource Center (MFRC) by Sergeant Marc Lavoie, who works at CFB Shilo Base Maintenance. Another person had originally been selected through a contest with the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), but fell ill prior to the run and RBC was asked if Sgt Lavoie could take his place.

"It was awesome," said Sgt Lavoie greeting his family at the MFRC.

After a brief ceremony at the MFRC followed by a group photo, the 20 selected CF members began the run across the base. Each member ran about 300 metres before passing the torch to the next runner.

(L) Corporal Jay O'Neill receives the torch flame from Sergeant Marc Lavoie as the Torch Run through the Base

The group of 20 included military members and civilian personnel working at the base. One of those civilians was Sherri Fisher, a technical designer for Base Construction Engineering.

"I feel it's a great honour," said Ms. Fisher. "I'm very happy to represent my country and have my daughter look up to me."

"My daughter is very excited; she's only two so she doesn't really know what it's about. But I've been showing her on the news and she seems pretty excited today."

The run ended when the last member passed the torch to another runner who began the run from the CFB Shilo to the City of Brandon, Manitoba.