English River army vet retires after 21 years
- Andréa Ledding | June 25, 2017
Robin Dawatsare of English River has retired with honours from twenty-one years’ service in the infantry. At his recognition night at the Hugh Cairns VC Armoury, many dignitaries joined his family and younger members of the military to honour him for his service, including officials from English River as well as senior members of the military.
“Every day you put on that uniform you don’t represent yourself, you represent Canada,” noted Dawatsare. “I’d like to thank everyone that supported me, the brotherhood of soldiers for the skills they gave me. It was a good experience going overseas, to learn that we could help as Canadians.”
He was stationed in Yellowknife, as well as other places in Canada, and went overseas as well, serving the country and promoting peace. One of the stories that was shared involved his last name: the commanding officer kept telling him not to call him “sir” when it was simply the last syllable of “Dawatsare.” Other stories reminisced about his service.
His advice was for people to think three steps into the future and to always keep going forward. His mother, Marcy Dawatsare, is still active with the RCMP and was very proud of his accomplishments.
“Both my sons went into the Bold Eagle program, my older son Nathan it wasn’t for him, he didn’t keep going with it, but Robin loved it and made a career out of it,” said Marcy. “Don’t look back, just keep going with the future, that’s what I always told my kids.”
Dawatsare was given several retirement gifts to honour him, along with many stories from those present, and from others who couldn’t attend but sent along words of support and congratulations. Afterwards there was a reception held in his honour.
Dawatsare’s parting words were for his family: he thanked his wife and three sons.
“Thanks for all the support with my family no matter how hard it was when I was away, and I love you for it.”