Countdown to D-Day ~ Walster

Name: Wally I.

Walster does not do anything halfway. When he heard about Oklahoma D-Day, it was “go big, or go home”. A founding member of the Gray Rangers scenario team, Walster went to his team mates and laid it all out for them: the world’s largest scenario paintball event, 4000 players, tanks, entire cities to be captured, all with some of the best scenario players in world participating. It had to be done. The Gray Rangers agreed. They enlisted with 1 CAN PARA and the CEF for D-Day 2008, and have been dedicated members of 1 CAN PARA ever since. Walster went on to fight with the CEF contingent at the UMS Battle of Ortona in 2008, returned for D-Day 2009, led CEF forces at Wasaga Beach Black Reign in 2009, and joined his CEF brethren for EMR Castle Conquest (Fall) 2009. 2010 will see Walster and the Gray Rangers again taking the field in CEF maroon and gold not only at D-Day, but at several events across Canada and the US including Wasaga Beach Frosty’s Revenge, EMR Castle Conquest (Spring), and Wasaga Beach Black Reign.

Why 1 CAN PARA and the CEF? “After reading about the Oklahoma D-Day game back in the fall of 2007, I was convinced that this was a strong candidate for my “bucket list”. The initial plan was to make it a father and son trip with my oldest boy Aaron, but once the word got out several others from the Grey Rangers weren’t about to be left behind. During my preliminary research there was an overwhelming patriotic attraction towards signing on with the CEF and especially the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion. After my first few inquiries to the 1 CAN PARA staff it became more than evident that this was the right choice. We came home that first year with tales of sportsmanship, camaraderie and a game of epic proportions. It didn’t take much to convince more of the Grey Rangers to join us and our numbers keep growing with each year that we make the trek south. Although many of the different units at the OK D-Day game try to give their players a sense of belonging, I have been truly impressed with the overwhelming sense of community that the CEF has developed. Being able to get together at events outside the D-Day event is something more akin to a large family than a just a paintball team. I look forward to many more years of hooking up with my friends in the CEF to rekindle and renew old friendships or making new ones, whether on the field or chatting through the Commonwealth website.”

A diligent leader, sharp tactician, and dedicated member of 1 CAN PARA, Walster has made a name for himself as a key membership of the CEF leadership cadre, and one of the CEF’s best ambassadors in Ontario. Over the years Walster has risen from a Section Leader, to a Company Commander, to the Chief of Staff of 1 CAN PARA, a testament to his dedication to his team and his fellow players. Through his efforts, 1 CAN PARA and the CEF have grown enormously in Ontario since 2008, adding new members their roster, and new events to their calendar. A gentleman and consummate sportsman, Walster has made it a personal mission to instill in his fellow 1 CAN PARA and CEF players the integrity, honour, and sense of fairplay that is so essential to the sport. With constant encouragement, he has helped a new generation of 1 CAN PARA members take on leadership roles in their own right, encouraging younger players to get involved and make their own unique contribution to the team.

Want to know more?: www.ddayadventurepark.com; www.ddaycommonwealth.com