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2 Adamson Street, Norval 905-877-1604 www.adamsonspa.com Gift Cards Available for all occasions Creativity is the hear t of design. It will be my pleasure t o serve past, present and future clients.Merna is pleased to welcome MERNA PRETE HAIRSTYLIST/BARBER SPOOKY HOUSE CONTEST Bring in or Send in a photo of your Spooky House to win a Halloween Prize Pack. Submit entries by Oct. 29 midnight To sponsor this contest please call ASAP 905-873-0301 ext 237 or email features@independentfreepress.com Stag & Doe Mark Johnston & Tammy Williams Sept. 27/08 8 pm Lions Club (Behind Old Arena) 8 Acton/Georgetown, Friday, September 26, 2008 Georgetown native Michael McNeilly has begun his eight-month tour of duty in Afghanistan, flying out last Thursday from CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick, where he has been stationed the past year. Private McNeilly, of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment, 2RCR Golf Co., will be stationed at Camp Nathan Smith, in Kandahar City, Afghanistan. His duties will include work- ing with the provincial reconstruction task force there, helping protect the Afghan people, as well as the reconstruc- tion project. Im both excited and nervous, said McNeilly in a telephone interview from Gagetown. Im looking at it like an adventure, but at times, I think it could become a nightmare too. Its not knowing what to expect when we get here, said McNeilly, I know were all trained to do the job there, but the unknowns are what makes me a bit nervous. I know Canadian soldiers have died over there, but we cant stop that thats war, and it happens. As McNeilly heads to Afghanistan, he leaves behind his girlfriend Jenn Hennington in Gagetown. When asked how she feels about it, McNeilly joked, She hates me right now- shes not at all pleased about me taking this tour. From her Georgetown home, his mother Fran McNeilly admits shes wor- ried about her son heading to Afghanistan as well. Im apprehensive, to say the least, said Fran, But I guess its a natural thing to feel that way. I admit, Im really proud of him, and how hes been able to pursue this dream to serve his country, but it still scares me a bit. From the moment he was a boy in school, hes been interested in the mili- tary, and both world wars, said Fran, He always showed and interest in weapons and read books about the histo- ry of the wars I guess its only natural he would pursue it. As we crept up to the day he was leaving, I found myself more and more apprehensive, said Fran, The unknown frightens me. When he was in Gagetown, he was away, but I knew exactly where he was. When hes in Afghanistan, I have no idea where he is, and that scares me. When I hear reports of soldiers being hurt in Afghanistan, I now stop to listen, said Fran. I know that wont change until I have him back home. McNeilly grew up in Georgetown, attending St. Francis of Assisi School and later Christ the King High School. He was involved in the scouting pro- gram, and later joined the 676 Lorne Scots Army Cadets in Georgetown, where he advanced to the rank of Master Warrant Officer (MWO) before retiring at age 19, when he joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2006, as Regular Forces. He took his basic training at St. Jean Garrison, Quebec, where he was awarded the Commandants Award for being the top student. From there, McNeilly took the balance of his training at the Armed Forces Training Centre in Meaford, Ontario. He also received specialized training, taking the communications (COM), infantry support weapons (IFSW), and the Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) courses. McNeilly comes from a family of mili- tary history. His father is a police officer, his grandfather Tony Wygergangs served in Holland during the Second World War, and his grandparents Bob and Elizabeth McNeilly are active members at Branch 120 of the Royal Canadian Legion, in Georgetown. During his tour, McNeilly will be back for one two-week leave, sometime in January 2009. Im looking forward to having him back in January, said Fran. Until then, Ill just have to wait, and hope hes okay. Second local soldier off to Afghanistan TED BROWN Staff Writer PTE MICHAEL McNEILLY