"All the King's Horses...Making War...Keeping Peace"
Canadians - True Humanitarians - In War and In Peace

Every year Pacific Region produces a theatrical production in keeping with the theme of Veterans' Week. This year the play is entitled, "All the King's Horses...Making War...Keeping Peace" a tribute to the 6^th Field Engineer Squadron.

The tribute portrays a family's military history serving as 6^th Field Engineers. One portrayal is about the grandfather who served in Holland during the Second World War. Another is about the grandson who served in Bosnia during a Peacekeeping Mission.

The play also has parallels. It moves from the war torn years during the Second World War in Holland to present day peacekeeping missions in Bosnia. Many things are different but many things are the same.

Canadian soldiers and orphaned children from both eras come together amidst shattered ruins...they have hope, they have compassion and together they try to find a way to put things back together again!

THE PLAY BEGINS.... with a Canadian soldier serving in Bosnia with the Engineering Squadron. He is standing behind barbed wire looking in helpless anguish. The rules of engagement for Peacekeeping are restrictive often conflicting with a myriad of supporting non-governmental organizations...and yet there is so much to be done. Through the wire the soldier sees a young orphaned girl in the field, dressed in a tattered frock, walking with no shoes. Her name is Azra.

The play then moves to the Second World War with the Canadian Engineers among the ruins disarming unexploded bombs. The rules of engagement for a Declaration of War are clear, concise and the military decides what support is needed and from whom....and yet there is much to be done. Among the ruins the Soldiers discover a young orphaned boy who is hiding and afraid. His name is Jan.

THE PLAY ENDS....with the liberation of Holland and it is time to go home. One of the soldiers wanted to adopt Jan, the young orphaned Dutch boy, but the soldier was killed in action. The Commanding Officer honoured the Soldier's commitment to Jan and brought him to live in Canada. Jan grew up to have a family of his own who served in the military with a son going to Bosnia.

The play then ends with Jan's grandson in Bosnia arranging for adoption of the young orphaned girl, Azra. As Azra was on her way to the compound, a sniper takes her life.

The eras come together in heaven as Azra and the fallen soldier meet in an Act of Remembrance, together in peace.

The play was performed at the Pacific Region's four day Veterans' Week School Event. Over 2,000 students, teachers, parents, veterans and peacekeepers applauded the young student actors with standing ovations and tears of gratitude. A learning experience not to be forgotten.