They knew the call would eventually come, but that has not made it easier for a local family.

Master Corporal Jason Thompson will leave on September 7 for his first tour in Afghanistan.

Left behind will be his wife of 12 years, Trisa, and their children Madison, 10, Julia, 6, and Noah, 4.

MCpl. Thompson, 36, serves with the Military Police Company and his seven to eight-month mission, as part of the Police Operational Mentoring Liaison Team, will be to train the Afghan National Police in Panjwa and Zhari.

“Many of the Afghans are illiterate,” he explains. “We provide them with an eight-week course on policing. They are very eager to learn and we mentor by them imitating us. By the end of the course, we try to let them lead the way.”

During their stint, the soldiers will go weeks without showering and eat only hard rations.

“There will be no laundry, and after six weeks, we will come in for about 48 hours,” he adds.

An eight-year veteran of the Canadian Military, Thompson started in the reserves in Windsor.

When the Military Police was cancelled in Windsor, he commuted back and forth to London.

“I worked for the Ford Motor Company for 12 years and when things looked uncertain, I took the buyout,” he says.

“For the past year I have been training in Petawawa.”

During the past year, Thompson has been away from home frequently. However, as Trisa noted, he was always coming home.

“He got to come home on some long weekends, Christmas and March Break,” she recalls.

“This is different. I'm scared and a little overwhelmed. The past week has been very emotional. There’s been a lot of tears – all those feeling that have been repressed for the last year.

“He’s not coming back until after the tour. I take it one day at a time.”

“I’m nervous and excited, but I just want it to be over,” says Thompson.

While very proud of her Dad, Madison acknowledges that she is a little bit worried and scared.

“The kids go to a support group at the Armouries in Windsor,” says Trisa. “We explain to them that Dad’s going to help deal with a big bully. Afghanistan called 911 and Daddy’s going to help.”

Along with the military support group, the family has also received help from their neighbours and church congregation.

Whether it’s emotional support or small things, people have lent a hand.

Like all military personnel, Thompson is proud to serve his country and knows the risks.

Trisa and their children will continue to live life as normal as possible, proud of their husband and father, and eagerly awaiting his return home.

Send letters of support



Anyone wishing to send letters of support for Master Corporal Jason Thompson can do so at:

MCpl JB Thompson, 1RCR P-OMLT, OP Athena

P.O. Box 5058

Stn Forces

Belleville, ON

K8N 5W6

 

The death of an 81-year-old Essex County woman from a Listeria infection on Aug. 27 has been linked to the recent recall from Maple Leaf Foods.

Dr. Allen Heimann, Windsor-Essex County’s medical officer of health, confirmed earlier this week that the woman had the same type of Listeria involved in the outbreak.

Meanwhile, a second local case – a 60-year-old Windsor woman – died on Aug. 29, but Listeria is not deemed the primary cause of death.

In the outbreak investigation, a confirmed case is an individual that has Listeria monocytogenes with the same genetic DNA fingerprint as the outbreak strain.

A suspect case is an individual with Listeria and is awaiting fingerprinting pattern results.

Products from the Maple Leaf facility 97B are not to be consumed because they may contain the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes (Listeria).

Foods contaminated with Listeria don’t smell or appear spoiled. To determine if a product is part of the recall list, look for the establishment code beside the best before or packed on date.

“If you’re in doubt about a product, throw it out,” Dr. Heimann warned the public.

Symptoms of Listeriosis start suddenly and are severe. The symptoms of Listeriosis include vomiting, diarrhea, severe headache, and fever.

If you or someone you know experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Symptoms usually appear within two to 30 days and up to 70 days after consuming contaminated food. These can be caused by other medical conditions and should not be ignored.

The recall originally included a few deli meat products. As of Aug. 26, the national recall was expanded to include all products that were produced by Maple Leaf Consumer Foods facility 97B.

Among world’s safest

Despite the recall, the Canadian Meat Council is assuring consumers that this country’s meat supply is recognized amongst the world’s safest.

“Our collective processing industry has worked in collaboration with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to put in place scientifically robust, innovative and world recognized food safety and quality systems to the benefit of our valued customers and consumers at home and abroad,” the Council said in a recent statement.

“Most importantly, as federal establishments, we are governed intensely by Canada’s Meat Inspection Act and Regulations and the highly prescriptive and comprehensive CFIA Manual of Procedures. We are also inspected regularly, and randomly audited by highly professional and trained Veterinarians and Meat Inspectors.

“All of which is undertaken to ensure Canadian meat products remain among the highest in quality and safety in the world.

“Overall, Canada operates an internationally recognized science-based risk analysis food safety system in our meat industry. Meat processors, governments and consumers all play an important role in constantly improving and maintaining the quality and safety of our food supply.”