The long road to Afghanistan
Tyler Salmond has led an interesting life over the past two and a half years.
The Nelson-born Salmond, 21, has been a peacekeeper in the Canadian Army's reconnaissance squadron and has recently returned from a six-month tour in Afghanistan.
My duties were mainly observation, trying to find opposition forces, weapons caches and trying to prevent launch attacks, said Salmond, who now hails from Osoyoos.
The long journey to Afghanistan took Salmond first to Edmonton, then on to Trenton, Ontario. From there he was on a twelve-hour military flight to an undisclosed location and then a four-and-a-half-hour flight to the capital city of Kabul.
The city of Kabul is in transition but is very stable now for a war-torn country. The outskirts are still controlled by warlords and drug dealers. Opium is the number one cash crop and represents over 70 per cent of the revenue that comes into Afghanistan, Salmond explained.
Opposition forces have lost the capital city and much of the fighting is now concentrated at the Afghanistan/Pakistan border.rnWhen asked about his impression of the people in Afghanistan, Salmond said for the most part the people are friendly.
Most are friendly and very happy. Most appreciate us being there, especially the people on the outskirts. The kids ask us for chocolate and pens, he said. But it is also sad because I get to see how bad their living conditions are. An average 40-year life span is the norm.
Salmond expects to have one more tour in Afghanistan. His wife Janine is surprisingly easy-going about her husband's military career.
Our moms had the hardest time with it. They all thought I would fall apart and be all worried but it was more an issue for them.rnSalmond and his wife were able to communicate as much as possible while he was in Afghanistan so she more or less knew where he was and that he was okay.
I would phone and tell her that I was going to be on assignment for a few days, so that if she didn't hear from me she wouldn't have to worry, said Salmond.
I wanted to become a police officer but was told I needed more life experience, said Salmond when asked about why he chose a military life. I thought the military would be a good way to get experience and develop some skills.rnSalmond's future goals are to enter SAR Tech, the search and rescue division of the army. It consists of a 10-month on-the-job course and is open to anyone in the military. He hopes to be posted in Comox, B.C. so he can stay close to his family.
Salmond's parents are proud of his accomplishments, although his mother Toni Richens, who owns Flowers on Main in Osoyoos, wasn't happy with his choice at first.
Janine agreed that the experience has taught her husband to be more patient and more disciplined.
Tyler said the experience has made him less tolerant of ignorance.rnAlthough I'm a pretty easy-going guy, he added.
Janine wanted to thank the town of Osoyoos for all their thoughts and prayers and support for her husband.
It's the nice part about being in a small town. Everyone knows you and wishes the best for you.
