Comments: I vote for Ivan, for all the reasons Errol mentioned.
Added: November 15, 2008
Submitted by Name: danny turner From: Edmonton E-mail: dannyb@telus.net
Comments: shilo
Added: November 14, 2008
Submitted by Name: Laurie
Comments: SKINKVOTE: SHILO (because what if its a girl skink, lol)
Added: November 14, 2008
Submitted by Name: ShiloBrats From: Skink vote
Comments: And then there were two…Errol has put a lot of thought into an appropriate name for our mascot and responds:
This was a very good idea and the names submitted were excellent. I’ve thought about those names a lot and have come down to two choices and would like to see, as Ken suggested, a short list vote-off. The two names I have picked for a vote-off are Ivan and Shilo. The reason’s for this are as follows;
IVAN – I feel Ivan Traill was/is one of the great educators that any school could have been blessed with having on their staff. It was Ivan that supported my early work on the skink and it was through him that I was introduced to pre-eminent zoologists that further supported my work. He was my greatest mentor and I deeply admire the quality of a man that he is, he impacted so many young students lives. Even today he continues to impart his knowledge and wisdom that speaks to people of all ages.
SHILO - The Shilo military training ranges are where this endangered species is most abundant and most secure. Few people know how much DND has contributed to saving not only the skink but many other species of plants and animals. It is a very interesting story and one I have often talked about at conferences and presentations in the past along with mentioning, in my reports, how DND has been an incredible custodian of a very special place, the ranges. Most of the soldiers training at CFB Shilo are well aware of the skink and other significant species present on the ranges. When I was checking in at Range Control on a very regular basis it always intrigued me just how interested they were with skinks, snakes, and assorted other critters found out on the ranges. I drank a lot of really bad coffee while spending quite a few hours with them just chatting about how incredible the Shilo area really is.
Thank you Bill Gillespie and Al Russell who were the first to suggest those names, you will both be winners of our surprise prize to be announced along with the winning name in the next posting of What’s New
The Vote-off (which will become famously known as the Skink Vote) will start now and end midnight pacific time Sunday, Nov. 16. There will be 2 ways to vote, publicly in the Guestbook or use the Contact form at the bottom of the side menu, so as not to clog up the Guestbook too much, and the true favourite won’t be known before posting. Errol is happy with either name, what would your choice be.
Added: November 13, 2008
Submitted by Name: ShiloBrats
Comments: Thanks for the great response, wonderful name suggestions and support for ShiloBrats new mascot, but as the Highlander says, ‘There can be only one!’ …maybe we should call it Highlander…oops ..too late!
If the decision proves difficult, a short list and vote off may occur, but that will be up to judge Errol Bredin. The chosen name will be announced in the next What’s New, along with a surprise prize for the contributor.
Added: November 12, 2008
Submitted by Name: jimi gray From: way far away
Comments: name him SHILO
Added: November 11, 2008
Submitted by Name: Faye Helgason From: Ottawa E-mail: fayeh51@yahoo.com
Comments: Well said Dr. J, you're absolutely right! But I still want to thank my dad today, GS (Helgi) Helgason, as I get ready to head to the Remembrance Day ceremonie.
Added: November 11, 2008
Submitted by Name: ShiloBrats
Comments: In honour of Remembrance Day our message is not to overlook the patronage to all who served and sacrificed and continue to serve in our defence, our message is for present day Shilobrats, their families, and the families of all service personnel deployed to combat from CFB Shilo.
On past Remembrance Days we saluted fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, uncles, and grandparents for their sacrifices in prior wars, and later even though many of them served around the world in peace keeping missions, our life in Shilo was during a peaceful time, with no real fear they would not return safely. The following excerpts are examples of what today’s Shilo families are living with.
Shilo soldiers headed for Afganistan, February 12, 2008
Emotions ran high at Canadian Forces Base Shilo in western Manitoba on Tuesday as dozens of soldiers left for Afghanistan. About 70 soldiers kissed their loved ones goodbye. They're the first of about 800 soldiers from the Brandon-area military base who will deploy to Afghanistan by month's end
March 26, 2008 A funeral was held Wednesday at Canadian Forces Base Shilo for Sgt. Jason Boyes, 10 days after the soldier was killed in Afghanistan. Boyes was killed by an explosive device while participating in a joint Afghan-Canadian foot patrol. Boyes, 32, was on foot patrol March 16 when he was killed by a roadside bomb in the volatile Panjwaii district of Kandahar province. He was just days into his third tour of duty in Afghanistan. Boyes was the 81st Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan
Remembrance Day is no longer just a memory of past battles, it is also for the awareness of our present involvement and the real fear war has on families.
Our prayers are with the current families in Shilo and the families of all service personnel stationed and deployed from CFB Shilo for the safe return of their loved ones.
Comments: This November 11, I'm remembering those soldiers from Shilo who died in Afganistan, Korea and WWII, particularly from the PPCLI. This regiment has a history of bravery and sacrifice that should make every Canadian thankful and proud.
Added: November 11, 2008
Submitted by Name: Bill Brown
Comments: I agree with Faye, "Mulligan" has to be the name. Remember, without Otter this site would not be here and therefore we would not be talking about old memories or naming a Skink.
Name: Rob Howitt
From: Guelph, Ont.
E-mail: r.howitt@sympatico.ca
I vote for Ivan, for all the reasons Errol mentioned.