GOLAN HEIGHTS EXPERIENCE
Heroes Remember
Transcript
When I went on my first deployment which was to Golan Heights in
1983… so, when I went there, the job that I had there was a job
that I’d already done, which was rations. So, I was at the Golan
Heights, and I was one of the few lucky ones that managed to get
off of camp three times a week because I’d have to drive the
refrigerated van, and I’d have to go into the nearest village
and pick up the fresh produce and milk, you know. So, all the
fruits and vegetables and milk and bread. So, I’d make that trip
three times a day. So, that got me off of camp at least… or not
three times a day… three times a week, that would get me off of
camp. So, that was my job in Israel.I had chances to go to the
Syria side, but most of my work was on the Israeli side.There
was a huge culture shock and a change in the way people operate
and, you know, just the way they conduct business – that sort of
thing. I had to get used to the way that the Israelis conducted
business and, you know, the way they talked, and what not.I
wouldn’t say fear, as much as… not knowing what you’re… what
you’re going into. Back then, I was just a young fellow and
never being out of Canada, you know, and my… I was… I had only
been to three provinces before – Nova Scotia, Quebec, and
Alberta – so, all of a sudden, going across the world, that in
itself was a culture shock. But once you’re there, you know, you
start talking to everybody else that’s in uniform and, you know,
sharing experiences and what to expect. That sort of gets you
set for what you’re going to experience during your time
there.So, yeah, the first time was… there was a bit of
apprehension, but you know, I had somebody with me and said,
okay, this is the route you do, and this is what you say, and
this is how you conduct yourself. So, once I got into that
mindset, it was… it was okay.
Description
Mr. Cromwell talks about his job while in the Golan Heights
Claude Cromwell
Claude “Ollie” Cromwell was born in Digby, Nova Scotia, and moved to Montréal as a young teenager. He joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1979 and began a long career in military logistics.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Recorded:
- November 4, 2019
- Duration:
- 2:21
- Person Interviewed:
- Claude Cromwell
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Canadian Armed Forces
- Branch:
- Canadian Armed Forces
- Rank:
- Warrant Officer
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