Canadian troops represent JFC Naples at Nijmegen Marches

Serving the Naples NATO community
Volume II, Issue 19 Sept. 2, 2016
Canadian troops represent JFC Naples at Nijmegen Marches
NAPLES, Italy -- Four Canadian Armed Forces personnel from Allied
Joint Force Command Naples returned recently from the Netherlands
after participating in the 100th edition of the Nijmegen Four Days
Marches.
represent a unit instead of marching under one nation’s flag. In an act
of solidarity, some soldiers from Germany and the Netherlands currently on mission in Mali combined in walking together a ‘miniNijmegen’ within their theatre of operations.
The Nijmegen Marches, held this year July 19-22, were initiated in
1909 as a prime means for the Dutch infantry to increase physical
fitness. It has since grown and evolved each year to the point where it
is now recognised as the largest international walking event in the
world, annually attracting approximately 5,000 military marchers and
45,000 civilians wanting to test their strength and endurance. Ultimately though, it is neither a competition nor a speed test, the goal of
each group is simply to finish the route through teamwork and camaraderie. The military contingents at this event all march 40 kilometers
per day for four days wearing packs weighing a minimum of 10 kilograms before any provisions are added.
Particularly poignant for the Canadians involved, but observed by
many of the nations, is the pause on the third day to visit the
Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery and commemorate the fallen
soldiers from the Second World War who died and were buried on
this spot during the liberation of the Netherlands.
“You’re definitely going to test yourself physically, but you’re also
going to test yourself on the military ethos,” said Navy Lieutenant
Commander Shawn Perry, who was participating in his third march at
Nijmegen. "It reinforces a lot of the military characteristics that we all
buy into but don’t get to test in a headquarters environment.”
Also representing JFC Naples at the event were Army Warrant Officer
Pierre-Marc Girard, Air Force Sergeant John Harder and Navy Master
Seaman Noy Phonpaseuth.
According to Perry, the highlight of the week was the final five kilometer victory parade down the main streets of Nijmegen and, this year,
in front of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. The King took
the time to shake the hands of many marchers as he passed out the
traditional flower, the gladiola, a symbol of force and victory since
Roman times.
Finishing the four days of marching is no small feat. According to statistics provided by event organizers, 4,609 participants dropped out
over the course of the event.
Perry said the festival atmosphere of the villages they march through
makes the event truly unique.
"At no point in the day do you not have this massive cheering section,” said Perry.
For three of the Canadian marchers from JFC Naples, there wasn’t
much time to rest their feet as the following week they participated in
the Belgium "Death March” held in Bornem. There the crew will aim
to complete a 100 kilometer hike that participants have 24 hours to
In total, Canada sent 15 teams of 11 marchers each from across Cana- complete.
da, as it has done since 1952. To mark this special year, Canadians
(Story by the JFC Naples Nijmegen Marches crew)
stationed within Europe were invited to form one of the squads,
The foursome were successful in securing a spot on this year’s team
after nearly 900 kilometers of training together, and were proud to
represent both JFC Naples and Canada at the conducted event.
known broadly as ‘Formation Europe’. This resulted in a slightly different training regime than the other Canadian teams, as prospective
members were identified from across Germany, Belgium and, of
course Naples.
In total, there were 27 different nationalities represented among military participants and 67 nationalities on the civilian side. In addition to
Canada, 11 other NATO countries and three Partners for Peace countries were equally well represented at Camp Heumensoord, the temporary military camp built each year on the outskirts of the city. Although rare, a few teams even featured a mix of nations, choosing to
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New Chief of Staff arrived
Italian Army Lieutenant General Leonardo di
Marco, JFC Naples Chief of Staff, conducted an All
Hands meeting, August 30, to thank the service
members and civilian employees of JFC Naples for
their efforts.
Lt. Gen. di Marco has handed over the reigns to
Italian Army Lieutenant General Luciano Portolano.
(Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Mark Patton)
Donations for earthquake disaster were handed over
The new JFC Naples Chief of Staff, Italian Army Lieutenant General Luciano Portolano received the President of the Campania Region Red Cross, Dr. Paolo Monorchio, in a handover ceremony, September 1, 2016. NATO’s international community in Lago Patria collected donations for the earthquake disaster in Central Italy that occurred on August 24,
2016. The donations of food, clothing and hygiene products will significantly help the
effected people.
The collection was organized by the JFC Naples International Spouses Club (ISC) in close
cooperation with the JFC Naples Base Support Group (BSG). Immediately after the natural
disaster, Mr. Paul Whitlock, secretary of the ISC, organized the collection of donations on
base. The manpower, the resources and the overall coordination of the event were organized by the BSG under the lead of Italian Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Michele Tafuri.
The international community’s willingness and desire to help our Host Nation of Italy in
their time of need was compelling, and a small gesture of good will and appreciation for
their outstanding hospitality.
(Story by U.S. Navy Commander Shane Dietrich)
Event Calendar and NATO Holidays
Jan. 30 — International Spouses Club Family Ski Day
2016—JFC Naples Fitness Center Schedule
Feb.
16 lessons
— ISC Capuana
Swim
for kidsGate
andtour
adults
2016—JFC Naples Fitness Center Schedule
Sept. 19 — ISC welcome coffee
March
Noble
Exercise
Sept. 14-18
23 — /JFC
FleaBonus
Market
(Motorpool area)
March
NATO
Holiday
/ Easter Monday
Oct. 728–
— JFC
Naples
Oktoberfest
April
Children’s
Festival
Oct.22—International
13 — ISC Luncheon
(Hosted
by Great Britain)
Oct.25—NATO
21—JFC Naples
FoodDay
Fest
April
HolidayInternational
/ Italian Liberation
Oct.2—NATO
24—Nov.
2 / Trident
Juncture
Exercise
June
Holiday
/ Italian
Republic16
Anniversary
Nov.15—
9 —NATO
ISC Luncheon
(USA—Thanksgiving
Aug.
Holiday / Feast
of Assumption theme)
Nov.
18/19 —
Bazaar
Oct.
24—Nov.
2 /ISC
Trident
Juncture 16 Exercise
Dec.
2—JFC
Tree lighting
Dec.
8—
NATONaples
HolidayHoliday
/ Immaculate
Conception
Dec.268—
—NATO
NATOHoliday
Holiday
/ Immaculate
Dec.
/ Granted
Day for Conception
Christmas
The Golden Lion is produced by the JFC Naples Public Affairs Office.
Questions, story ideas and submissions can be sent to:
[email protected].
Official JFC Naples Channels
www.jfcnaples.nato.int
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