Nearly 3,000 Canadian troops serve in Afghanistan, and Barrie, Ontario, Local 1739 member Grant Kempster will soon be joining them for an expected six-month tour of duty. Kempster, a fourth-year inside apprentice, is a reservist with the Canadian Armed Forces and will be deploying overseas for the first time in early spring.

Twenty-five-year-old Kempster, originally from St. Catharines, has been a member of the Canadian reserves since 2006. He is currently undergoing training for his deployment.

"Our local is very proud of Grant for wanting to serve his country," said Local 1739 Business Manager Tom Leduc. "From all the brothers and sisters in Local 1739, we say thank you."