by Amber Gooding,
Contact Newspaper, Assistant Editor

Master Warrant Officer James (Jamie) Whalen will be 8 Wing/CFB Trenton’s official Olympic Torchbearer when the flame makes its way to our region on December 15.

MWO Whalen currently calls 8 Air Maintenance Squadron home. (Please check out next week’s issue for more information about MWO Whalen and his exciting involvement with Vancouver’s 2010 Olympic Winter Games.)

In total, 14 military bases across Canada are to take part in the Olympic Torch Relay route, where members of these bases and their families will run/walk up to three legs of the route, a total distance of approximately 1km.

The torch has already made its way to eight bases, from CFB Esquimalt, up to CFS Alert, and most recently travelled to CFB Valcartier.

Quinte West Mayor John Williams addressed the crowd with gratitude and excitement, as mayor and a local resident, as well as from a proud Canadian’s standpoint.

“This is a pleasure for me,” said Mayor Williams. “To have the opportunity to bear the torch in our community, making a few stops along the way in celebration. It’s not everyday we have the chance to be a part of something like this.”

Mayor Williams encourages members of the community to come out, line the route and support our torchbearers and athletes leading up to the days of the Vancouver Olympics.

“A lot of us won’t get to Vancouver, so this is our way of touching the Olympics,” he said. “I think we’re very fortunate to live in the country that we do. Canadians have many things to be proud of.”

“I would like to make a pledge, to build a stronger community…to encourage members of our community to support our young people, our volunteers, and our many local charities – and to continue to give back,” said Mayor Williams.

Three other local torchbearers were also named, all of whom have ties to the base.

Also carrying the torch on December 15 will be Master Corporal Yvan Breton, a 42-year-old Air Traffic Controller for the Canadian Forces, and a volunteer firefighter for Quinte West; Bevin Stephenson, 8 Wing/CFB Trenton webmaster who volunteers at local riding stables and events to support riders with disabilities – and who is also involved with providing support for the unique issues that affect military families; and Steve Weller, a high school teacher that runs the “Pops and Tots” program at the Trenton Military Family Resource Centre.

The three local torchbearers were selected by RBC – the longest-standing supporter of the Canadian Olympic Team (since 1947). RBC is a Premier National Partner of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and is proud to bring the Olympic spirit to communities across Canada.

As part of the celebrations leading up to the 2010 Winter Games, the Vancouver 2010 Organizing Committee planned the Olympic Torch Relay across Canada and is sponsored by RBC, Coca-Cola and the Government of Canada. The relay involves a journey of 106 days, over a distance of 45,000 km visiting more than 1,000 Canadian communities.