CFB Suffield seaman helps locate missing Medicine Hat youth
May 14, 2020 - Tim Bryant, Western Sentinel
The ethos to help others is strong within the Canadian Armed Forces, and one seaman stationed at Canadian Forces Base Suffield epitomized that in May 2020.
On the evening of May 11, 2020, Master Seaman Shane Milmore became aware of a missing, 15-year-old boy in the city of Medicine Hat. Despite no obligation to do so, he decided to do his part and join in the search efforts.
“I don’t know what it was, but something in me said, ‘I need to do something,’” MS Milmore said. “I had to do something to help find this boy.”
He desire to help stemmed from his time growing up in Bay Roberts, N.L., where he had been a member of the Navy League and the Sea Cadets. That time had instilled in him a love of community that has stayed with him.
“This is my home,” he said of living in Medicine Hat. “Anywhere I get posted is my home for as long as I’m here. Any posting I go to, I want to make it my home and I want to be involved in the community.”
MS Milmore’s search began at around 9 p.m., shortly after he became aware of the youth’s disappearance via the Medicine Hat Police Service’s social media channels.
Caption
Master Seaman Shane Milmore
Photo courtesy MS Shane Milmore
He started looking through his side of the city, and worked his way across town. He looked through every park, watering hole, pond, school and church, trying to think like a 15-year-old.
“Where would a 15-year-old boy be at 8, 9 o’clock at night to try and be safe if he’s lost?” MS Milmore said, recounting his thought process.
While he was searching, he met and kept in contact with police to let them know who he was and what he was doing.
MS Milmore continued looking for close to three hours before he found the youth at around midnight. The youth was located near a school on the opposite side of Medicine Hat from his home. The youth seemed receptive to being found, he said.
MS Milmore explained his military training helped in his search efforts. It had increased his attention to detail, while his medical training as a Navy cook meant he was better prepared in case the youth was in need of medical assistance. In addition, the teamwork the military promotes played a role in working with police.
Beyond that, there is also the willingness and desire to help people in need.
“We’re in the military to serve our country and we’re here in the military to serve our community as well,” he said.