Sgt Jaye Sheppard will be retiring from the Canadian Forces on 19th June 2009, after more than 42 years of loyal and dedicated service.

Sgt Jaye Sheppard enrolled in the Canadian Forces Regular Force in October 1966 as an Infantryman and serviced with 2 PPCLI. During his years with the PPCLI, Jaye served three years in Germany from 1967-70, aided in the Montreal FLQ Crisis in 1970, he completed a six month tour in Ismailia, Egypt as well as two tours in Cyprus in 1971 & 1976. These years of service also marked a highlight of his career when he was a member of the rifle team from 1969-76 and won various awards in Marksmanship. As well he has completed his ship’s diver and free fall course.

Jaye married his wife Corinne in 1974 and started a family by becoming a father to two sons; Jason Sheppard born in 1976 and Sean Sheppard born in 1977. Shortly thereafter, Jaye remustered to Fire Fighter in 1978. He spent the next many years enjoying various postings to Portage la Prairie, MB, ship time aboard HMCS PROTECTEUR in Halifax, NS, two postings to Moose Jaw, SK and Winnipeg, MB. In Aug 1998 Sgt Sheppard retired from the Reg Force after almost 32 years. He immediately enrolled into the Reserve Force.

Sgt Sheppard has continued his service in the Canadian Forces as a Fire Fighter with the 17 AR Flt for more than 10 years and will continue to do so until his upcoming retirement. After that Jaye will be staying in the area with his wife Corinne and continue working with the Commissionaires.

There will be a function held in Jaye’s honour 19 June 2009 at 1200 pm at Boston Pizza, 2517 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3J 0P1. Anyone wishing to attend can contact Sgt T.A. Currie at 204 833-2500 ext 5501. Please forward any E-mails or anecdotes to: Troy.currie@forces.gc.ca Dennis.matthews@forces.gc.ca