"DUNDURN"
"Why in the world would you want to go there" was
the question I got over and over the spring of 2001. I was scared
that everything, everyone said would overshadow my positive outlook
about every new posting and my belief that a posting is what you
make of it. Little did I know that our year and a half at camp Dundurn
would be one of our best in the 15 years of military life.
The thing I miss the most is the laid back and
relaxed nature of the people. Everyone just seemed to be so content
and never in a hurry. After the first week it was so nice to go to
the general store and post office and to be called by my first name,
and for people to ask about my children and actually stop to listen
to my reply.
I think I enjoyed my time there so much because
I escaped the fish bowl and got out into the community, and what
a welcoming community it is. With a small population of no more
than 500, I'm sure I knew pretty much all of them by the time I left.
I attended a wonderful church in the town that gave me so much support
while my husband was gone for the last 7 months of our posting. The
friends I made I'm sure I'll always have.
I walked everyday and was always in ah at the beauty
beyond all the flat terrain. The sun sets were breath taking. It
is truly the land of the living sky.
The school in Dundurn speaks for itself. Even before
we went I heard wonderful things about the programs offered at the
little Dundurn School.
I felt so comfortable sending my daughter there
to school every day. Samantha came away from her one year at Dundurn
so much more confident and is reading at a much higher level than
any of her classmates at her new school. The social skills she learned
at Dundurn will aid her forever.
Being such a small base and everyone being so busy
with their own lives, sometimes especially during the frigid winter
months it was hard to get out and visit with friends. However, one
of my favorite things to do was to drop in on the girls at the MFRC
and take advantage of their motto "Our coffee pot is always
on". No matter how busy they were they always made time to sit
and chat, listen and share a laugh. Thank you girls, the girls and
I sure do miss you guys.
I always joke and say how I miss the longer parking
spaces because everyone owns a truck! There are so many things I
miss and will remember I credit myself as being a positive person
but it was so easy to be content during my stay in Dundurn. If given
the opportunity to go back, I certainly would.
- Patsy Byard |