Family sends holiday love to officer serving in Latvia

When two- and four-year-old Syrah and Arya Anstey wanted to deliver a Christmas gift of love to their military officer dad serving in faraway Latvia during the holidays, they wrote to Santa.

But, ultimately, the Strathmore girls’ wish to send their father, Capt. Michael Anstey, a hug went to a dragon.

Their dad and mom Aly are admirers of Calgary-based entrepreneur Arlene Dickinson, and had heard the mainstay of CBC’s Dragon’s Den was planning on travelling to the former Soviet republic to cheer some of Canada’s 450 troops deployed there.

The family contacted Dickinson to see if she’d deliver a surrogate hug or two.

“When I asked Arya what she’d like to get her dad for Christmas, she said she’d like to give him a hug,” said her mom.

“She and her sister, Syrah, don’t know the concept of time yet and it’s hard to explain to them why their dad won’t be home for Christmas.”

But when Dickinson told them she couldn’t make the trip, the task fell to TSN Sports Centre personality Kate Beirness.

At a Christmas concert for the troops in the Latvian capital of Riga on Dec. 6, a beaming Beirness read Antsey a letter from home and delivered his daughters’ surprise hug.

“There were certainly a few tears throughout the room,” said Anstey of the 41 Canadian Brigade Group.

“It was a bittersweet moment — receiving a hug that I knew my daughters had sent but couldn’t give themselves.”

Anstey’s first mission away from home during the holidays began in June when the logistics officer joined a multinational NATO battle group to deter possible Russian aggression against the tiny Baltic country.

“The deployment has gone very well so far, but I know that as the month progresses it may become much more difficult,” said Anstey, 33. “It ensures you never take anything for granted, our time together is precious.”

Whatever loneliness he feels being away from family has been softened by the reception of Latvians, said the 10-year military man.

“Many of us have been stopped on the street specifically so that they could thank us for coming,” he said.

“We also work alongside Latvian soldiers on a daily basis and take away as many experiences as we can from each other.”

Back home, his wife said she’s disappointed her husband won’t be home to open presents with her and their daughters, but added there’s a good reason for his absence.

“That’s his job, he’s there for a good cause — it’s something we take a lot of pride in,” said Aly.