Lt. Michael Bergeron (navy) moved to PEI in 2019, with his wife, pictured here.
Hello Michael! Can you tell us a bit about your family?
My wife, Jennie Orr, who is from Cavendish, PEI. We’ve been living on PEI since 2019.
And you said you had a military connection?
Yes, my dad was in the military as well (army), so I grew up all over the place, on bases. I joined when I was 16. My partner has been with me for almost 8 years.
What does being a military family mean to you?
I don’t know anything else. I lived on military bases. When I was younger, the most crucial part of my growing up was Base Borden, where there was an MFRC on base, a youth centre, a gym—I was surrounded by full support for not only my dad and my mom, but for me, too.
After being supported during my youth, it meant a lot to join the military. I don’t regret my choice. I’ve been in for almost 18 years. It’s been a great time and was a natural fit for me.
Tell us about a few challenges about being a military family that either you’ve experienced now or you have in the past.
Before I joined, I saw my dad deployed on training. I already knew what it was going to take to go away. It became more difficult when I met my wife. Going away for one or two months at a time became difficult, and something we continue to face as we look to establish our family in the next few years.
It is difficult because if you’re gone 2-6 months of the year, how can you keep building that relationship when you reduce the physical and emotional contact?
It makes you appreciate every second, every day you are together.
Tell us about some of the joys that come from being a military family.
I love the networking and the travelling the military has allowed me to participate in.
I’m part of the military running team so I’ve represented Canada in three countries: China, Hungary and Portugal
I’ve deployed, 2 exchanges with foreign navy—±over 50 countries and learn from other navies in the world.
It fulfills me when I can meet with other countries and share our love for navy/military and seeing the similarities of the countries.
Can you share with us what the MFRC has meant to your family.
My first year, when I arrived on PEI, I met with the staff weekly. They made me feel welcome and they introduced me to all the supports and programs they offer. The PEI MFRC compared to other MFRCs are quite more involved. They know their families by name and situation. It’s a smaller crowd so it’s easier to know everyone, but they’re involved in our lives.
They care about their job. It’s not just a job, it’s a passion…a calling. The staff here are quite involved and really community-driven.