Often when Canadians think about the work that is done by our military service, they think of the missions that take place far away from Canada. The current mission in Afghanistan or other high profile peace keeping missions around the world get a great  deal of sustained media attention.

But some of the greatest contributions the Canadian military has made over the years have happen right here at home. Manitobans witnessed the local contribution of our military first hand this spring and summer as they were asked to come to our province on two separate occasions to help deal with the 2011 flood which has impacted huge parts of western Manitoba.

Initially, Manitoba requested military support to help build, monitor and repair dikes in Brandon and along the Assiniboine River and particularly in the Portage la Prairie area where the Portage Diversion was operating at greater than full capacity and where a deliberate breach of the dikes near the Hoop & Holler Bend took place. Without the quick approval by the Federal government and rapid deployment of our military personnel, it would not have been possible to build up the flood infrastructure along the Assiniboine. Our military was praised for their contribution along the Assiniboine as they completed their work.

But it turned out the need for military support to fight the 2011 flood wasn’t over. This past weekend there was again a request that went to the federal government for military assistance, this time to build up the flood protection for the community of Souris as the Souris River reached a new crest. And again the response was swift as 400 Canadian Forces quickly came to the aid of local volunteers to build up the flood protection in Souris.

Without the assistance of the military during this flood fight, there certainly would have been a great deal more damage caused as a result of flooding to personal and municipal property. Of course this is not the first time Canada’s military came to fight a flood in Manitoba. The largest deployment happened in 1997, during the Flood of the Century where more than 8,000 military personnel came to battle the flood along the Red River.

And as witnessed by the fact several members of the military were injured supporting the Manitoba flood fight this year, it is both needed and difficult work.

Canada’s armed forces serve a number of different roles. They have been sent overseas to fight for freedom and to keep the peace. But they also serve right here at home to protect us from the forces of nature. The military once again stepped up when they were needed most and they deserve our thanks and our appreciation.