Hussars swimming with the fishes for Operation LENTUS
On Sunday afternoon, May 21, 18year-old Pablo Davey-mariscal received the call. By 11 p.m. that night, he was on his way to Montreal to help the army’s flood relief efforts.
Private Davey-mariscal was one of seven reservists of The Sherbrooke Hussars sent as additional support for other reservists already on-site. Stationed in Pierrefonds and l’île Bizard, Daveymariscal said his first deployment was “quite the experience of getting dirty”.
Davey-mariscal described the work involved with LENTUS, an operation designed to send the Canadian Armed Forces out to help civilians when natural disasters strike, such as this year’s floods. The troops would work non-stop, with barely two hours sleep a night.
“The day we got to Montreal, we headed straight into mud up to our knees” said the Private. “The water was waist to chest deep in some places.”
The flooding was so severe that sometimes the troops had to travel by boat. Davey-mariscal recalled houses being half-submerged in water, looking for trapped civilians with fish swimming in the streets next to him.
“We would pick up hundred-pound sandbags, working from 11 a.m. until midnight,” said Davey-mariscal.
“You move a sandbag and mud just covers you. It was intense, I’m only 5’9 and 140lbs!” he laughed, adding that his training had nevertheless prepared him well.
The Hussars jobs mostly involved bringing supplies to relocated civilians and trying to calm the population, the Private explained. When asked about their relationship with the disaster victims, he said that his squad’s experiences were mostly good. “They were happy to see us; thanking us, offering water.”
When asked about his daily routine, Davey-mariscal commented that though they often woke at 5 a.m. to work 32 hour shifts. The troops rarely knew what to expect. “We just have to be ready.”
Referring to his deployment, he added that his school is very understanding, as the reservists are required to be able to leave unexpectedly for long periods of time. The young Private is unaware of how much work is left to be done, as he is now on standby in Shawinigan, but he described his experience as a positive one.
“The Hussars have such a good work ethic. Our training is difficult, but effective. I’m here to help, that’s why I signed up.”