VISIT BY CANADIAN FRIENDS  - LT CDR PETER MCINTYRE AND MRS CANDICE MCINTYRE

  

During the period May – August 2006, the Barbados Cadet Corps made a giant leap by being able to send six officers on training courses in Canada. While this is a move which was sanctioned by the local Barbados Defence Force and the Division of Defence and Security and, of course, by the Director of Cadets in Canada, there were two central personalities in the whole process who did the ground work to make it a reality. One of these persons was the Commandant of the Barbados Cadet Corps, Lt Col Trevor Browne,  and the second was Lt Cdr Peter McIntyre the Officer in Charge of the Regional Cadet Instructor school (Central) Together they both communicated through email and the participation by Barbadian Officers in the Basic Officer Qualification Course, the Lieutenant Qualification Course,. Capt Qualification course and Military Occupation (Sea) course became a reality for six officers of the Barbados Cadet Corps.

Lt Cdr McIntyre showed a personal interest in this project and, in this regard, he went beyond the call of duty. When the Cadet Executive Officer, Major Patrick Skeete visited Canada to see Officers on course and to meet officials, again Lt Cdr McIntyre was extremely helpful and accommodating

 Lt Cdr McIntyre was pleased with the performance of the officers on course.  

The Barbados Cadet Corps received a very pleasant surprise when Lt Cdr McIntyre announced that he would be passing through Barbados on a cruise on Saturday 23 December 2006. When the ship arrived, he and his wife, Candice, were picked up by the Cadet Executive Officer and taken on a brief tour of the island. At 1000 hours, he arrived at the new Coast Guard base and was met by Cdr David Dowridge, Acting Chief of Staff and Capt. Philip Springer and taken on a guided tour of the new facility. He later commented on how pleased he was that persons had taken time out to greet him. He was given a tour of the BDF Officers Mess and then to a restaurant to have lunch with the Commandant and some of the Officers who received training in Canada. Lt Cdr McIntyre was touched once again at the number of Officers who halted their busy Christmas schedule to come and spend time with him. From the Cadet Headquarters’ perspective, this was, of course, the least we could do for someone who had shown such kindness towards so many of us and genuine commitment to the development of our unit. This comment, of course, extends to all the other Officers (training and admin staff) in Canada who were particularly helpful to our officers on training.  

It was indeed an emotional moment when he and his wife Candice said good bye at the Bridgetown Port at 1430 hours. Lt Cdr McIntyre and his wife had developed a strong friendship with the Cadet Executive Officer in Canada, taking him from Ottawa by car across Canada to Toronto stopping off at various military bases overnight. As mentioned the brief entertainment package which ran from 0730 to 1430 was filled with activities which gave Lt Cdr McIntyre a small sample of the warm Barbadian hospitality which personnel from the Royal Canadian Army Cadets always experience in Barbados. We look forward to the next visit.

The following are the words of Lt Cdr Peter Mcintyre in an email after the visit:

“…………….. I wanted to thank you for your kindness and hospitality during our recent (short) visit. Candice and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. That so many people took time out of their schedules during the obviously busy holiday period speaks volumes. It was a shame that our visit was so short, but it has whetted our appetites to return to Barbados for a more lengthy stay.

We particularly enjoyed seeing so many of the officers who attended training in Canada and meeting LCol Browne.

We are enjoying the book on Barbados”`

  

PHOTOS OF VISIT

  

 

Lt Cdr Peter McIntyre and His wife Candice photographing the Pride of Barbados flower at Morgan Lewis Mill.

  

 

  

(Left to right)   Cdr David Dowridge, Mrs Candice McIntyre, Lt Cdr Peter McIntyre, Capt Philip Springer

  
   

Cdr David Dowridge and Capt Philip Springer explain aspects of the new Coast Guard base, HMBS PELICAN to Lt Cdr Peter McIntyre and his wife Candice.

  
   

Lt Cdr Peter McIntyre finally meets Lt Col Trevor Browne who initiated contact with him by email to make the Training arrangement a reality. At left is Mrs. Eartha Skeete, wife of CEO of the Barbados Cadet Corps.

  
   

FUN, CAMARADERIE ……WARM BAJAN HOSPITALITY

It’s all smiles!!!

From left: 2Lt Khalil Greene (extreme left) who attended the Lieutenant Qualification Course sits next to Candice McIntyre

  
   

(Left to right): 2Lt Dreana Marshall, 2Lt Junior Ward, 2Lt Khalil Greene, Mrs. Candice Mcintyre, Lt Col Trevor Browne, LCdr Peter McIntyre, Lt Lincoln Springer, Lt Michael Boyce.