For those of us who have never served in the military, Remembrance Day is nonetheless a somber time for reflection on the high cost of the quality of life we all enjoy.
But for one Westlock man, the day took on a new meaning when he took on the role of soldier.
Pte. Ryan Battaglini, now posted to the 3rd Battalion of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, the significance of the day hits a little closer to home.
“A lot of people think Remembrance Day is just about the past, but they have to remember it’s still going on. There are still conflicts overseas,” he said. “It’s also about the 157 people who have died in Afghanistan, and about the people who are still overseas for the next couple months.”
Throughout his teenage years, Battaglini has been no stranger to the organizations modeled after the military, having been involved with the local cadets group for many years as well as serving on the Westlock Fire Department under Chief Stuart Koflick, who is himself a veteran.
That said, when it came time for the two minutes of silence every year there were no specific people in his thoughts.
“You take the time and bow your head, but when you bow your head what do you really think about? If you don’t know anybody you’re just thinking of all the people who died,” he said. “But now I’m thinking about how my buddy is doing overseas, and all that kind of stuff. My perspective has definitely changed.”
As for his involvement in the Canadian Forces, Battaglini said he knew from a relatively young age that this was the direction he was headed. Now that he has made it, he said he’s honoured to be a part of an organization with such a rich history, especially within the PPCLI, which has more than 100 years of traditions behind it.
“It makes me really proud to know that 100 years ago there was a private in the same shoes as me,” he said. “If something comes up, they might say that 75 years ago Private So-And-So did this, and now in commemoration of him we do it as well.”
The Patricias indeed have a rich history, played instrumental roles in some of the defining battles of both World Wars. They fought at Vimy Ridge and at Passchendaele in the First World War, and in the Second World War they helped liberate Italy and The Netherlands in the European Theatre, as well as briefly fielding a battalion in the Pacific Theatre.
“There’s a lot of history, and the things the Patricias have accomplished makes me feel really motivated to do better,” he said. “I hear of what the other Patricias have done, and it makes me go one step further in the training so I can keep that level of professionalism as high as I can possibly put it.”
That level of professionalism in the military was apparent to Battaglini very early on in his training, which began in August 2012. Far from being the stereotypical drill sergeants like the one famously portrayed in the 1987 film Full Metal Jacket, he said the officers maintained a firm level of professionalism throughout.
“My experience was that sure there were moments of yelling and stuff like that, but for the most part it was just firm professionalism. Yelling doesn’t do a whole lot, and they’ve kind of realized that,” he said.
Battaglini said knowing his family is supportive had also been a big help for him, especially during the times when he has to be away for training or exercises.
“Pretty much as soon as I told them I wanted to go in the military, they were always 100 per cent there with me,” he said. “When they found out I was going into the Patricias, they were still right there behind me, supporting me.”
Battaglini will have had the opportunity again to see the kind of support his family and community can offer has he said he planned to attend the Westlock Remembrance Day ceremony on Nov. 11.
And there’s little question of where his thoughts will be during that time.
“It’s great to remember the past, but we can’t forget the present and what’s happening now,” he said. “A lot of times that’s pushed to the background and is kind of forgotten.”
Battaglini, like so many others, will not forget.
