Reprising their Second World War role, SA mobile canteens
followed Canadian troops on NATO manoeuvres and served refreshments
in the field. The Salvation Army also helped
incoming military families adjust to their new lives
overseas. Many experienced culture shock and marital problems; the
SA assisted with drop-in centres and counselling services.
When the government reduced by half the number of Canadian
troops serving with NATO forces in 1970, and relocated those remaining
to Lahr and Baden-Soellingen 500 kilometres further south, the SA’s
four Red Shield centres closed down.
Despite this, SA canteens
continued to accompany the troops on manoeuvres.
The SA had become so integral a part of the Canadian
deployment to Europe that, in 1971, a new Red Shield Centre opened in
Lahr to great acclaim by the troops.
During the 1990-91 deployment of Canadian forces to the
Persian Gulf, the Salvation Army sent ‘sunshine bags’ of small gifts
and comforts to each of the several thousand Canadians serving in the
war zone. In 1992, Ottawa announced that Canadian troops in Europe would be
coming home. The Salvation Army stayed with them until the end, only
shutting down its overseas operations in 1994 at which time
there were almost no troops left to serve.
Created: December 8, 2000. Last update: September 27, 2001 © Canadian War Museum |