Vanguard Magazine

Starting from September 21 and running to September 28, 2018, the Ca- nadian Army's Infantry School will host the 20th Annual Canadian Inter- national Sniper Concentration (CISC). The Canadian Army's Infantry School, which is part of the Combat formed foundation, Together We Stand," said Rick Ekstein, Founder, Togeth- er We Stand. "We hope the packages Canadian military families will receive, show that Canadians recognize their extraordinary efforts on our behalf." The Eksteins are from families that were victims of the Holocaust. "They are passionate in their belief that Canada is the best country in the world and are deeply appreciative of the sacrifices members of the military make to preserve our freedom." Canada hosts 20th annual sniper training event 'Together We Stand' to honour deployed Canadian military personnel and their families this holiday season Training Centre at 5th Canadian Support Base Gagetown, will host mili- tary snipers from Canada, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. These officers will participate alongside law enforcement officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Halifax Regional Police, Service de police de la Ville de Montréal, Peel Regional Police, and Saint John Regional Police. "CISC sets the conditions for participants to rehearse and discuss op- erationally relevant tactics, techniques, and procedures," said Colonel John Errington, Commander of the Combat Training Centre. This training event provides participants with the opportunity to devel- op further operational capabilities related to sniper-specific skill sets and share experiences related to sniper tactics, techniques, and procedures. The training includes "using new technological developments, exchang- ing ideas with Allies and learning about new doctrinal changes on how to train efficiently and effectively," according to a press release. Snipers play a significant operational role within militaries and law en- forcement agencies. "By focusing on the operational experience and lessons learned by Canada and its Allies, CISC promotes healthy competition and esprit de corps while generating discussion about ways to improve sniper skill sets for all parties involved," Colonel Errington added. CISC has become a well-attended world-class sniper training event, which assists participants in sustaining and improving their expertise. 8 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2018 www.vanguardcanada.com S Sit REP Canadian philanthropists Rick and Lillian Ekstein meet with Canadian Armed Forces personnel in Toronto to honour military families through launch of Together We Stand Foundation (CNW Group/Together We Stand Foundation) Annual Canadian International Sniper Concentration, New Brunswick on September 25, 2018. Photo: Cpl Genevieve Lapointe, Tactics School, Combat Training Centre (CTC). Over 2,000 Canadian Armed Forces members and their families will ben- efit from this year from Together We Stand Foundation, a charitable organi- zation created by Rick and Lillian Ekstein. This newly formed organization will honour Canadian military families. Due to the deployment of Canadian troops around the world, some mili- tary families are separated during the holiday season. Ekstein, a Canadian businessman, and his wife "recognized this situation and created Together We Stand to honour the sacrifices deployed military personnel and their families make each day," according to a release. "Organizations like Together We Stand provide important recognition of the tremendous sacrifice family members make so our personnel can serve Canada," said General Jonathan H. Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff. Officially launched on September 13, 2018, the new organization is gra- ciously supported by former prime ministers Stephen Harper and Paul Martin, as well as several notable Canadians and many major brands like Adidas, Cineplex Odeon Corporation, Reebok, Sleep Country Canada and The Shoe Company, to name a few. Deployed military personnel and their families who will be separated during the holiday season "will receive a package of gift cards before the holidays through a collaboration with Sup- port Our Troops." Last year, the Eksteins donated $75,000 to military families to thank them for their sacrifices. To make a bigger impact this year, Together We Stand was created as an official charitable organization dedicated to this cause. "We are extremely grateful to all those that now support our newly

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