Paige LeClairThe Smith Falls Lions Chapter is presenting two screenings of the film “Clearing the Way: Combat Engineers in Kandahar” on June 1, at the local Smith Falls Station Theatre.
The documentary, based on the book written by Mark Gasparotto and is the story of the 2 Combat Engineer 23 Field Engineer Squadron during their deployment in Kandahar in 2006-2007.
“As a member of 23 Field Squadron, I am very grateful to Paul and Brendon Culliton for helping us tell our story through film,” said Gasparotto. “It brings many adventures from the book to life. In so doing, it allows those close to the soldiers to better understand what it was like to fight a war in a far-away land.”
“That war is a mix of fright, exhilaration, stress, chaos, boredom, pain, loss, triumph, comradeship. That an Army must be ready to fight,” said Gasparott. “That soldiers exist to fight, and that has a cost—a cost that countries need to be willing to pay when their national interests are at stake.”
Gasparotto is also a member of Treble Victor Group, an organization that enables military members, reservists, and veterans to achieve their full potential through mentorship, and network connectivity, with chapters across Canada.
David Sutcliffe, Treble Victor Group director communications said their goal is to host additional events around Ottawa in the fall and continue supporting its members.
“The Treble Victor Group is supporting the event since Mark Gasparotto is one of our members and we want to see his project succeed,” said Sutcliffe. “The Treble Victor Group has supported the event by providing the online platform to sell tickets and promoting the event through our network.”
Sutcliffe says the community support in Smith Falls has been strong and are hoping to offer additional screenings of the film.
Half of the ticket sales for the event will be donated to the Mark Walden’s Legacy Fund, started when Treble Victor Group collaborated with Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur. Walden helped co-found the Treble Victor Group, and he was well known as a community builder and successful entrepreneur.
After a courageous battle with cancer, Mark Walden passed away in August 2016.
“The legacy fund was created to honour Mark’s entrepreneurial spirit and his dedication with helping veterans transition into the business world. It is fitting that numerous Treble Victor members are alumni of Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur program and are now entrepreneurs,” said Sutcliffe.
Tickets will be on sale until June 1 at the local Lions Club chapter and through the Treble Victor website.
Gasparotto hopes viewers to better understand war.
“That war is a mix of fright, exhilaration, stress, chaos, boredom, pain, loss, triumph, comradeship. That an Army must be ready to fight,” said Gasparotto. “That soldiers exist to fight, and that has a cost—a cost that countries need to be willing to pay when their national interests are at stake.”
To purchase tickets visit the Treble Victor Group website here.
