by Richard Janecky
(Former CFPSA NPF Communications Coordinator)

In December 2001, MIL logged over 8,000 calls - a significant increase from the 1,945 calls received in May of the previous spring. Over 1,000 of those calls concerned information regarding ground troops from Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Edmonton - troops who, at the time, were waiting to be deployed.

MIL Coordinator Michel Morency notes of the toll-free 1-800 service, "We're an important link to the families of CF personnel serving onboard ships and deployed in military operations around the world."

"Families who phone us want to know if their deployed family member is safe, and when he or she is coming home," says Nathalie Connolly, an MIL counselor and spouse of a CF member. "Loneliness can also be hard for families to deal with, and sometimes our callers phone simply because they need someone to talk to."

Nathalie Connolly, an MIL counselor and spouse of a CF member.