Why Remembrance Day is important to me

By Brenda Van Belle, Vice-President, Safety Guys

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Like so many other blogs out there, this one is typically reserved for articles and posting about industry related topics. But on this day, November 11, 2018, I feel the need to share something personal about me, and about the people that make Safety Guys a company I am so proud to call my own.

Most of you know me as the voice on the other end of the phone, I'm the behind the scenes girl that helps keep our company growing. Every Remembrance Day it is important for me to post our banner in remembrance and share a tweet...not for the clicks, but because this day is special.

I was lucky enough to have two fathers in my life, both gone far too early. My father passed away when he was only 40. He was a brilliant entrepreneur and I feel I may have been lucky enough to receive the right kind of genes that have helped me on the journey of becoming an entrepreneur myself. My second Dad, my wonderful step-father, was Major Grant Bryan Hunt. Bryan was the sort of person that everyone loved. He was determined, hard working, unbelievably charming and had a wicked sense of humour. Many a Friday night was spent laughing at his jokes and stories out on the back deck. Add his best friend Carl Holmberg into the mix, and almost anything could happen. The two were shameless.

Bryan was a proud member of our Canadian Armed Forces for almost thirty years, and embraced that spirit, body and soul. Dedicated, loyal and unfaltering. His favourite saying was "if you don't have time to do it right the first time, how the hell are you going to find the time to it again." That phrase really defines everything I do now, its not always perfect, but I believe we owe it to ourselves and to the clients we serve to try and get it right, to create as perfect an experience as possible.

In a bit of an epiphany this morning, I realize Paul and I have been fortunate to find trainers that reflect all of the values that my Dad, and that we hold dear. Matt, Chris, and our newest guy John, all work and train with an honest passion and a dedication to our students. Like my Dad, they are very easy going, act with integrity and honour, and they all have a very unique sense of humour. They are so much fun to work with, and I am so lucky to say everyday is a great day working with our team.

Today I will remember my Dad for his service to our country and for the love he gave me, my sister and my Mom when he was here. It has been twenty years since he left us and we laid a final poppy for him. I will be thinking of all you who have lost someone or have someone you hold dear serving our country abroad. Please take a moment today to remember all those who have fought for us and continue to fight for us.

May peace eventually find us all.