Before Peter Chun joined Coast Mountain Bus Company earlier this year as maintenance manager at the Vancouver Transit Centre bus depot, he served 13 years in the Canadian Armed Forces as a Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Officer.

As a young man, Peter knew he wanted to join the Armed Forces because they offered free education. “After joining, I was provided more than just an education,” said Peter, who graduated from the Royal Military College with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering. “I learned the tools and gained the experience to become the person, leader, and husband I am today.”

From fighting forest fires in B.C. and floods in Manitoba to supporting relations in Beirut, Lebanon, and Amman, Jordan, Peter was deployed on both domestic and international operations.

During the pandemic, Peter and his team assisted in distributing COVID-19 vaccines to Indigenous communities in northern Manitoba, as well as supporting traffic flow at key airports across Canada.

“As a full-time member, your main priority is to train and prepare for when you are called upon because you’re there to serve. Whether it’s at home in Canada or internationally, you have a duty to protect the country’s sovereignty, interests, and values,” he said.

After Peter’s contract with the Armed Forces ended, he transitioned to CMBC, where he now manages day-to-day operations in the maintenance, repair, and servicing of revenue and non-revenue vehicles.

What does Remembrance Day mean to you?

With his experience in the Armed Forces, Remembrance Day reminds Peter of the fallen soldiers and those who served, and are serving, to protect our sovereignty.

“Sacrifice is easily understood, but it is challenging to commit to,” he said. “For those who serve, they sacrifice a lot – health, safety, financial gains, but most importantly, personal time with friends and family because you’re away from home a lot.”

During Peter’s career, there were many remarkable experiences and achievements, but the most cherished moment he recalls was whenever he was with his platoon on extensive training exercises.

“We were sleep-deprived, malnourished, cold, exhausted, but we still got together every night, smiled, laughed and enjoyed the moment,” Peter remembered. “We were in the trenches together, and it’s not a memory that will be forgotten or truly understood by anyone other than us.”

“The network of people you bond with builds a family environment when serving. As much as you’re fighting for the country, you’re also fighting for your brother and sister to your left and right.”​​