Yumimi Pang
Northern News Services
Published Monday, July 07, 2008

NUNAVUT - Harry Eegeesiak is fond of saying that he was born with combat boots on.

But after 22 years of service, Eegeesiak has decided to undo his laces one last time and retire from the Canadian Forces.

Eegeesiak, 42, is from Iqaluit, and in his youth he was active as a Beaver, scout, cadet and even some time as a Ranger. He first tried to join the military at 17, but his parents wouldn't sign the papers. As soon as he was 18, Eegeesiak signed himself up.

When he first joined the Canadian Forces in 1985, many people had problems pronouncing his last name so they decided to shorten it, and Eegeesiak soon got the nickname Iggy.

Eegeesiak was first posted to Borden, Ont., as a mechanic.

"But I failed that course because I just turned 19 and boys will be boys," said Eegeesiak, but it all turned out for the best since he went on to join the combat engineers corps.

Eegeesiak's 22 years in the Canadian Forces has meant travel on tours to war-ravaged areas.

In 1991 after the first Gulf War, Eegeesiak was deployed to Kuwait with the United Nations Iraq Kuwait Mission.

"I was a peacekeeper defusing mines . . . . We were clearing mines in the paths and the roads leading to Iraq," he said.

Kuwait was also a departure from Arctic climes and Eegeesiak recalled one day when the mercury reached 62 C. He suffered once from heat stroke.

Eegeesiak also was part of the crew that helped people who were victims of mine explosions.

"It was gruelling," he said.

Eegeesiak's service with the Forces has made his parents proud, and when they arranged to meet him in Vancouver while he was on leave from Kuwait, Eegeesiak learned what his service meant.

"It was the only time I've seen my dad cry," said Eegeesiak. "He was very proud of me."

After his tour in Kuwait, Eegeesiak became interested in becoming a heavy equipment operator, a job he performed for 11 years.

Eegeesiak also served in Kosovo.

"I still get nightmares. We were working with the forensic team for a couple weeks," he said, declining to give details.

According to Eegeesiak's younger sister, Evie, who lives in Iqaluit, Eegeesiak is a generous man.

"He's a very funny man, loves life, loves dancing, loves to help people out. He would give the shirt off his back," said Evie.

Eegeesiak recalled returning to Kosovo after a leave in Canada. When in Canada he had filled two bags with clothes and boots for children in Kosovo.

"I went on my knees in the little village and started to hand them clothes," he said.

Eegeesiak also has experience with tours in the North, having served twice in Alert as part of a demolition team of a quarry crew.

"I miss hunting, the scenery, no trees," said Eegeesiak.

Many of his family, including parents, brothers and sisters remain in Iqaluit.

Eegeesiak and his wife of 14 years, Arlene, have even adopted four children from Nunavut, Ooly, 12, Sila, 7, Siku, 4, and Elijah, 2.

Eegeesiak remembers his service in the Forces fondly.

"I think the best thing is if you want a career you got to like it. I really enjoyed it," said Eegeesiak.

Eegeesiak's retirement was effective June 30 and he plans to move with his family to Chilliwack, B.C., his wife's hometown.

Now Eegeesiak is looking forward to new challenges, and has applied as a heavy equipment operator with Baffinland's Mary River mining project.

"I suppose you could say he was a role model. He is still a role model," said his younger sister Evie.